KJ slams ‘banana republic’ Indonesia over severe haze

Indonesian former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has criticized Indonesia's handling of forest and land fires in Kalimantan, which have led to severe haze affecting Malaysia, particularly Sarawak. Khairy blamed the fires on weak enforcement by Indonesian authorities and the country's poor record in prosecuting environmental offenses.

He described Indonesia as a "proper banana republic" due to its inadequate response to the issue. Indonesian environmental group Walhi has previously blamed deforestation for palm oil plantations, mines, and other land-clearing activities for the fires, which leave the land dry and vulnerable to combustion, exacerbated by El Nino.

Khairy also criticized ASEAN for failing to address the recurrent haze issue, which affects the health of millions across Southeast Asia. The Transboundary Haze Agreement signed by ASEAN, including Indonesia, lacks enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or sanctions for countries or companies responsible for the haze. Malaysia and Singapore have attempted to enforce transboundary haze laws with civil actions against companies, but Khairy believes such enforcement in Indonesia has been largely symbolic.

He expressed concern that, as a result of these issues, a resolution to the yearly problem remains elusive.