MFA Spokesman's Comments in response to media queries on comments by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono

In response to media queries on comments by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono alleging the involvement of Singapore companies and Singaporeans in illegal land clearing practices in Indonesia, the MFA Spokesman said:

          "Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono has recently said publicly that since 2013, the Indonesian police has launched 41 investigations against errant companies and individuals that may be involved in illegal land clearing practices in Indonesia and that some of these cases involved Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans. 

          We would like to reiterate our call to the Government of Indonesia to share the evidence relating to any involvement by Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans in illegal land clearing practices in Indonesia. The Government of Singapore takes a serious view of these allegations.  If there is credible evidence that Singapore-linked companies or Singaporeans were involved, the Government of Singapore intends to take further steps against these errant companies and individuals.

          We note that a state of emergency has been declared in Riau province due to the severe haze arising from the on-going forest and peatland fires. There are also fires elsewhere in Sumatra. We hope that the fires will be quickly dealt with to prevent a recurrence of transboundary haze.  We also urge the Government of Indonesia to take the necessary legal and enforcement action against errant companies or individuals, regardless of their nationality. As we have said previously, the primary responsibility for legal and enforcement action lies with Indonesia, where these companies and individuals were allegedly conducting such illegal activities."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

1 MARCH 2014