Singapore asks Indonesia to clarify contradictory statements on haze

Singapore government has asked Indonesia to clarify contradictory statements on whether Singapore firms had been involved in illegal farming land practices in Indonesia that has led to a suffocating transboundary haze in the region recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday. Singapore's Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chee Wee Kiong, in a meeting with Indonesia's Ambassador Andri Hadi, also asked Indonesia to assist by sharing relevant evidence if there is any on the involvement of Singapore firms. There had been "contradictory statements made by Indonesian ministers and officials on whether Singapore-linked companies were engaged in illegal land clearing practices," the ministry said in a statement. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, head of Indonesia's Presidential Working Unit for Development Supervision and Control, reportedly said that many hotspots were located on land owned by two companies with offices in Singapore, namely, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) and Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL). However, Indonesia's Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan was reported as saying that there was no strong evidence against these companies. Kuntoro's media remarks also contradicted comments by Indonesia 's Minister of Environment Balthasar Kambuaya to his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan during their meeting on June 21 when Kambuaya told Balakrishnan that no Singapore companies were involved in illegal land clearing practices, it said. Chee requested that the Indonesian government clarify these contradictory statements. "If there was credible evidence that Singapore-owned companies or companies operating in Singapore were involved, the government of Singapore intended to take further steps against these errant companies," the statement said. Chee also reiterated that the primary responsibility for legal and enforcement actions against these companies was with Indonesia, where these companies were allegedly conducting such illegal activities. Chee reiterated that it was important to focus on dealing with the smoke haze. "Engaging in megaphone diplomacy was neither helpful nor constructive," the statement quoted Chee as saying. Andri Hadi said he would convey Chee's views to the government of Indonesia, and added that it was important for both sides to keep the lines of communication open, the statement said.