Indonesia accepts Singapore’s proposal to fight haze
Indonesia has accepted Singapore's offer for a haze assistance package to deal with forest fires, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on October 7.
Singaporeans are being affected by the chronic haze pollution caused by forest fired in Indonesia.(Source : Reuters/VNA)
Indonesia has accepted Singapore's offer for a haze assistance package to deal with forest fires, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on October 7.
He said the agreement was reached during a discussion with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi on the same day.
The package, mentioned in a formal request by the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Indonesian government, includes assets, personnel, high-resolution satellite pictures and hotspot coordinates.
Also in the request, Singapore asked for the names of companies suspected of involving the forest fires which caused air pollution in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The Malaysian 🎶government, after closing a number of schools due to haze, also put forward a proposal to sup♕port Indonesia to deal with forest fires.-VNA
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on September 30 that his country needs three years to completely put an end to forest fires which have been occurring more frequently in recent years.
The Indonesian government needs to take action against companies causing haze problem which has affected the air quality, people’s health and economies of countries in the region, said Malaysia PM.
More than 300,000 Indonesians were reportedly suffering from respiratory illnesses due to the worsening haze conditions in the dry season, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health announced on October 6.
Indonesian police have published a list of 240 individuals suspected of having set fire to forests and land, causing the haze disaster in the Sumatra and Kalimantan regions.
Singapore has required seven major retailers to make it known to customers which wooden, paper and pulp products are made in a sustainable fashion as part of efforts to end the chronic haze pollution.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Singaporeans are being affected by the chronic haze pollution caused by forest fired in Indonesia.(Source : Reuters/VNA)
