Singapore and Indonesia leaders commit to tackling gas, power and haze issues, minister says
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the two countries' leaders had communicated, but gave no details of their discussion or the plans to follow.
Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Jakarta on Oct. 28 that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had communicated and made a political commitment to address bilateral issues, The Straits Times reported. The statement matters as the neighbours contend with reduced gas exports, proposed electricity exports and haze from Indonesian fires. Balakrishnan did not disclose what the leaders discussed or the plans they intend to carry out.
Balakrishnan spoke after meeting Prabowo at the president's private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, earlier on Oct. 28, according to The Straits Times. He described their talks as good, honest and sincere, and said some constructive approaches were already being implemented, without identifying them. He said both countries now needed to execute the leaders' commitment.
Gas cuts and electricity export plans
Indonesia began reducing natural gas exports to Singapore on Oct. 24 to prioritise electricity needs in Batam, Bintan and Sumatra. The Straits Times put the reduction at 31 million standard cubic feet a day, about 8 per cent of Indonesia's piped gas exports. Singapore's Energy Market Authority said the cut amounted to less than 2 per cent of Singapore's daily gas demand over 18 days and that supplies remained sufficient. Its gas importer was ready to bring in more liquefied natural gas if needed.
CNA reported that Indonesian minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Oct. 26 the cuts were within contractual limits. Wong said parties to gas supply contracts should honour their commitments. Asked about the contracts, Balakrishnan said ministers on both sides shared a commitment to honouring them. Existing Singaporean import contracts with Indonesia expire at the end of 2028.
Indonesia is also reviewing plans to export low-carbon electricity to Singapore while pricing negotiations remain unresolved, The Straits Times reported. Singapore has granted conditional licences to six Indonesian projects with a combined capacity of 3 gigawatts. Bahlil said on Oct. 26 that Jakarta was reviewing the plans to prioritise domestic needs.
Joint response to forest-fire haze
The countries have announced a joint task force to coordinate investigations into companies linked to forest and land fires, CNA reported. It said the task force would share information and evidence across the border. They also announced a hotline to handle bilateral differences. The fires have sent haze across parts of the region, adding another issue for the governments to address as they put their stated commitment into practice.
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Sources and context
- Singapore, Indonesia committed at highest level to resolving bilateral issues: Vivian BalakrishnanThe Straits Times
- PM Wong, Prabowo committed to ‘do what is necessary’ to tackle bilateral issues, including haze: Vivian BalakrishnanCNA
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.