SINGAPORE – The Republic today (March 1) reiterated its call to the Indonesian government to share evidence relating to any involvement by Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans in illegal land clearing practices in Indonesia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said this in response to media queries on comments by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono.
Mr Agung had said publicly that since last year, the Indonesian police have launched 41 investigations against errant companies and individuals that may be involved in illegal land clearing practices in Indonesia.
Mr Agung said some of these cases involved Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans.
MFA said that the Singapore government takes a serious view of these allegations.
It added that if there is credible evidence that Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans were involved, the Singapore government intends to take further steps against these errant companies and individuals.
The ministry also urged the Indonesian government to take the necessary legal and enforcement action against errant companies or individuals, regardless of their nationality.
It said the primary responsibility for legal and enforcement action lies with Indonesia, where these companies and individuals were allegedly conducting such illegal activities.
MFA noted that a state of emergency has been declared in Riau province due to the severe haze arising from the ongoing forest and peatland fires there as well as fires elsewhere in Sumatra.
Singapore hopes that the fires will be quickly dealt with to prevent a recurrence of transboundary haze. CHANNEL NEWSASIA
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