Is Indonesia’s haze rhetoric ‘unempathetic’? Oxygen quip tests regional cooperation

An Indonesian official’s claim that the country exports “oxygen” and not just smoke to its neighbours has renewed criticism of Jakarta’s handling of its annual forest fires, with analysts warning that defensive nationalism risks undermining regional cooperation to tackle the recurring haze crisis.

The remarks by Syahganda Nainggolan, the newly appointed head of the Government Communication Agency, reignited criticism over Indonesia’s handling of its ongoing forest and peatland fires, which have sent thick haze to Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and parts of the Philippines.

“We ask all our neighbours to understand that this is beyond human error, this is truly [caused by] nature,” Syahganda said on Saturday as quoted by local news outlet Kompas.

“We’re not just sending smoke. If there’s no smoke, we’re sending oxygen. Singapore and Malaysia’s oxygen comes from our forests.”