Indonesia media urges country to not turn shared problems into 'nationalist confrontations'

Indonesian media outlet The Jakarta Post published a commentary piece on November 3 warning against nationalist confrontations over shared problems in Indonesia. The article, titled "Indonesia returns to old habit of blaming and bullying Singapore," comes amid tensions between Singapore and Indonesia over cross-border haze and natural gas exports.

Abdul Khalik, writing for Omong-Omong Media, urged Indonesia to prove it can effectively govern itself, protect its citizens, and share in the value its economy generates. The outlet criticized President Prabowo Subianto for treating haze complaints as insults to Indonesia, questioning what the country should be proud of when its forests continue to burn and its people suffer from polluted air.

While the transboundary haze has affected Singapore, which enacted the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to hold companies accountable, Jakarta Post noted Singapore's legitimate responsibility to protect its citizens from pollution. Indonesia has announced it will cut natural gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day beginning October 24, with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources stating the country could continue exporting electricity to Singapore if advantageous.

While acknowledging the Indonesian government's obligation to secure domestic energy, Jakarta Post questioned whether the reduction comes amid confrontational rhetoric about countries not respecting Indonesia. The outlet called for ASEAN cooperation, urging Indonesia's leader to demonstrate he can defend interests without distracting from domestic failures at regional diplomacy.