Indonesia urges diplomacy to continue as haze and gas dispute with Singapore exposes regional tensions before ASEAN summit
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Indonesia and Singapore are still trying to defuse tensions over transboundary haze and reduced gas exports, with both sides publicly repeating their commitment to diplomatic dialogue ahead of the ASEAN leaders' meeting in Manila.
Jakarta – Indonesia’s senior diplomat said Wednesday that diplomatic engagement must continue despite a widening dispute with Singapore that threatens to cast a shadow over the upcoming ASEAN summit in Manila. The row stems from a recent episode of transboundary haze and Indonesia’s decision to cut daily pipeline gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units, underscoring how environmental harm and unequal resource bargaining can quickly spill into regional politics.
Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, director-general for ASEAN cooperation at Indonesia’s foreign ministry, told reporters that while the economic conditions of the 11 ASEAN members vary, “Diplomacy must not stop. Our domestic policies may differ, but we still have to push for diplomacy.” Her remarks reflected the reality that ASEAN members remain tied together even when their national interests and power levels are far from equal.
Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Jakarta last week and met President Prabowo Subianto, Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir and other officials. The two governments agreed to establish a joint task force to trace payments to companies linked to the haze. Balakrishnan said the talks demonstrated “political commitment on both sides to do what is necessary” and that implementation plans would follow, though concrete accountability for the pollution remains the urgent test.
Indonesia’s energy minister Bahlil Lahadalia warned that green electricity exports to Singapore could be delayed unless “the right price” is secured, and called for the removal of transit countries from natural-resource shipments to avoid tax-revenue losses. Singapore’s prime minister Lawrence Wong also communicated with Prabowo on the issues, according to Balakrishnan, in a sign that the pressure is being managed through direct state-to-state talks rather than confrontation.
The tension was heightened after former trade minister Muhammad Lutfi accused Singapore of influencing MSCI’s downgrade that affected Indonesian stocks. Both sides maintain that the gas-export reductions do not breach existing contracts, with Balakrishnan emphasizing a “commitment to the sanctity of contract.” Even so, the dispute highlights how easily financial markets, energy policy and environmental damage can become tools of geopolitical leverage.
Indonesia has not yet confirmed whether President Prabowo will attend the ASEAN gathering, while Singapore is slated to assume the bloc’s chairmanship in 2027.