Singapore waiting for Indonesia to respond to request for names of errant companies responsible for haze

Today Online 7 Oct 15;

SINGAPORE – The Indonesian government has yet to turn over the names of errant companies suspected of playing a part in causing the haze that has plagued Singapore since last month.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today (Oct 7) it has sent a formal request for the names of these companies to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore. “This was in response to the request by the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, who had previously said that if Singapore wanted the names of these companies to be officially sent to it, then this had to be done through the Government-to-Government channel,” an MFA spokesperson said. “We look forward to an early response from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on our requests so that we can take the necessary action against those who are responsible for the haze.”

In its note to the Indonesia embassy, Singapore also reiterated its haze assistance, which Indonesia has rejected several times, saying it has the resources to manage. “Singapore stands ready to assist Indonesia in its haze combatting and fire-fighting efforts,” the MFA spokesperson said.


Singapore has sent formal request to Indonesia for names of errant firms: MFA
Nisha Ramchandani Business Times 7 Oct 15;

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has sent a formal request for the names of the companies suspected of being linked to the haze in Indonesia and has also reiterated its offer of assistance.

"This was in response to the request by the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, who had previously said that if Singapore wanted the names of these companies to be officially sent to it, then this had to be done through the government-to-government channel," said an MFA spokesman in response to media queries."We look forward to an early response from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on our requests so that we can take the necessary action against those who are responsible for the haze."

The spokesman added that, in the same note, Singapore also reiterated its haze-assistance offer to Indonesia, which includes a team from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to provide assessment and planning assistance as well as up to three C-130 aircraft for cloud-seeding operations and to ferry the SCDF team.

In addition, Singapore is offering high-resolution satellite pictures and hotspot coordinates and a Chinook helicopter.

The spokesman added: "Singapore stands ready to assist Indonesia in its haze-combating and fire-fighting efforts."