Indonesia Responds to Singapore's Forest Fire Investigation Plan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, on Thursday assures that the Indonesian government highly respects bilateral cooperation agreements while also abiding by international agreements and national sovereignty.

“We must defend Indonesian nationals, but we will also issue punishments if they are proven guilty,” said Luhut Pandjaitan in a written statement today.

His statement is a response to the Singapore Government’s plan to investigate the land and forest fires against Indonesian citizens or Indonesian legal entity. Luhut said the government will refer to international and regional laws that have been collectively agreed upon. 

“We will respect the deals we have agreed upon together,” said Luhut Pandjaitan. 

Meanwhile, Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly said the Indonesian government can raise objections upon Singapore’s investigation plans in the name of sovereignty. 

As to auditing, Yasonna also said that there have yet been any international or regional legal standings for a foreign country to sue an Indonesian citizen or Indonesian legal entity within the Indonesian territory. 

Deputy of Foreign Affairs Mahendra Siregar opines that Singapore’s plan to investigate the land and forest fires can be done as long as it does not violate Indonesia’s sovereignty.

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