Article
Shanmugam Rebukes Indonesian Official's 'Oxygen' Remark as Haze Frustration Grows
The haze crisis has taken on a sharper diplomatic edge. Singapore's Senior Minister K Shanmugam has pushed back against an Indonesian official who suggested that Singapore's oxygen comes from Indonesia's forests.
According to Malay Mail, which carried an AsiaOne report, Shanmugam spoke at a doorstop on 19 October. He is Singapore's coordinating minister for national security and minister for home affairs.
What Shanmugam said
Shanmugam said it was "not right" to make such comments while the region was suffering from haze caused by companies breaching regulations in Indonesia, adding that Indonesians themselves were suffering the most. His main points, as reported, were:
- Singaporeans are deeply frustrated by the worsening haze, which is affecting public health and is entirely preventable.
- The haze is not simply an act of nature, but a problem driven by companies pursuing profits.
- He did not believe the official's view was shared by many in the Indonesian government or public.
- It is in Indonesia's interest as much as Singapore's to deal with the companies responsible.
Legal action remains on the table
Shanmugam repeated Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's statement from the previous Thursday that Singapore would, if necessary, take legal action against companies contributing to the haze under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.
Asked whether such action could have diplomatic consequences, he said Singapore could not hold back while its people were suffering, and that he did not think there should be any bilateral issues.
"We shouldn't have to put up with this — the smog as a result of the burning. It is entirely preventable." — Senior Minister K Shanmugam, as reported by Malay Mail
Praise for Prabowo's measures
Despite the sharp words, Shanmugam welcomed steps taken by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's administration, which he described as quite unprecedented. He listed:
- Replacing the head of the agency overseeing firefighting and disaster relief.
- Directing that slash-and-burn practices on peatland be prohibited.
- Prioritising fire prevention as a long-term solution.
- Approving foreign assistance to fight the fires.
He said Singapore has offered help to put out the fires and hopes for full cooperation from Indonesia in going after the companies involved. He added that Singapore's actions against companies were aligned with the broad policies announced by the Indonesian administration.
Why it matters for Malaysia
Malaysia shares the same haze problem, with parts of Johor seeing very unhealthy air and school closures. Singapore's willingness to use its domestic law against companies linked to fires is one of the more direct approaches in the region, and the debate over responsibility, between governments, companies and natural conditions, affects every country downwind of the fires.
The exchange also shows how haze can strain relations even between close neighbours. Shanmugam framed the issue as one of corporate responsibility rather than a dispute between countries, a framing that could help keep regional cooperation on track.
What to watch
Key things to watch include whether Singapore moves ahead with legal action under its haze law, how Indonesia responds to the "oxygen" remark, and whether foreign assistance, including Singapore's offer, is taken up. For people living with the haze, the more immediate question is how quickly fires can be brought under control. Our guide to indoor air quality monitors offers tips for tracking air at home.
A long-running regional problem
Transboundary haze has troubled Southeast Asia for many years, and every major episode tends to bring the same debates: who is responsible, what governments can do across borders and how to hold companies accountable. Singapore's law allows action against entities that cause or contribute to haze affecting the country, even if the burning happens elsewhere, which is why it features prominently in Singapore's response. Shanmugam's comments make clear that the government sees companies, not ordinary Indonesians, as the target of any such action.
For ordinary people in Malaysia and Singapore, the political debate matters less than the air they breathe each day. Until fires are brought under control, health advice remains the same: limit outdoor activity when air quality is poor, keep windows closed and check official air quality readings regularly.
Parents, older people and anyone with asthma or heart conditions should take extra care, and seek medical advice if symptoms such as breathlessness or persistent coughing appear during haze periods.
Following official updates from health and environment agencies is the best way to plan daily activities while the haze persists.
FAQ
What did the Indonesian official say?
According to the report, the official remarked that Singapore's oxygen "comes from" Indonesia's forests.
What law could Singapore use?
Singapore's Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, against companies contributing to haze.
Did Shanmugam criticise Indonesia's government?
No. He welcomed President Prabowo's measures and blamed companies breaching regulations.
The war of words is a sign of how frustrated the region has become. Whether it leads to tougher action against the companies behind the fires remains to be seen.