Indonesia Should Respond To Haze Criticism With Verifiable Action: DPR RI Deputy Speaker

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

JAKARTA, Oct 29 (NNN) -- Indonesia should respond to criticism from neighbouring countries over transboundary haze with verifiable action, including stronger prevention measures, law enforcement and environmental restoration, House of Representatives (DPR RI) Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said.

He said Indonesia had heard concerns, criticism and recommendations from Malaysia and Singapore, including views expressed in their respective parliaments.

“We should appreciate it without necessarily accepting every assessment. The most important thing is to protect affected communities, strengthen prevention and law enforcement, restore the environment, and ensure business operators are held accountable, including those with cross-border operations,” he said.

“Criticism should not be taken as an offence. It should be addressed through actions that can be scrutinised,” he said in a video marking the 98th anniversary of Indonesia’s Youth Pledge, published by the DPR RI on Thursday.

Sufmi also called for closer cooperation among ASEAN parliaments beyond times of crisis, particularly in disaster prevention, cybersecurity, food and energy security, and resolving cross-border issues.

“We cannot choose our neighbours, but we can choose how we live alongside them, respect one another, speak frankly and seek solutions together," he said.

He said forest and land fires, transboundary haze, floods, extreme weather and threats to food security demonstrated how public safety and national security had become increasingly interconnected.

He also cited developments in the South China Sea, maritime security, cross-border crime and cyber threats as challenges testing ASEAN's resilience.

He reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to an independent and active foreign policy that safeguards sovereignty and maintains peace.

--NNN