Indonesia accuses neighbours of haze hype
Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has apologised for the haze that has blanketed Singapore and Malaysia.
He said Indonesia was fully responsible for overcoming the problem caused by spot forest fires.
But his apology was undermined by the reported comments of Indonesia’s energy and mineral resources minister Jero Wacik, a former tourism minister, who accused Singapore and Malaysia of trying to discredit Indonesia over the haze issue.
"Let me remind our friends from Malaysia, Singapore, don’t just, because of the haze, tell stories to the world," said Wacik.
"It’s called sharing, you go through good times together, don’t make noise to the world when things go bad. It’s just like husband and wife, don’t take your quarrels outside," he added.
Minister for people’s welfare Agung Laksono last week said Indonesia did not need help to contain the forest fires, adding that Singapore was "acting like a child" over the haze.
Malaysia, where haze levels have reached crisis levels, wants a meeting of regional ministers brought forward to discuss the emergency.
Malaysia’s health minister S. Subramaniam said Malaysia was expected to convey a strong message to its Indonesian counterpart to find permanent solutions to the end the annual “man-made” haze problem.
“The health risks for Malaysians are very high,” he told reporters on Monday. “We (Malaysians) should not be subjected to it every year."
While the haze has moderated in Singapore this week, environmental agencies expect it to return to dangerous levels within days.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026