KJ slams ‘banana republic’ Indonesia over severe haze
Former Malaysian minister Khairy Jamaluddin has criticized Indonesia for its handling of forest fires that have caused severe haze in Malaysia. He labeled the situation a failure of regional cooperation and environmental enforcement.
Why it matters
The recurring transboundary haze issue remains a significant diplomatic and public health challenge in Southeast Asia, highlighting tensions between economic development and environmental regulation.
Indonesian environmental group Walhi previously said the fires in the coiuntry were largely caused by deforestation to make way for palm oil plantations, mines and other land-clearing activities. (EPA Images pic)
PETALING JAYA: Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has slammed Indonesia for failing to prevent forest and land fires in Kalimantan, resulting in the severe bout of haze affecting Malaysia, especially Sarawak.
Khairy blamed the fires on weak enforcement on the ground by Indonesian authorities, as well as the country's weak record in prosecuting environmental offences.
"I apologise firstly to my friends in Indonesia, but unfortunately, we live next to a proper third world country.
"I'm not saying that we don't have problems when it comes to enforcement, but this is a proper, proper banana republic," he said on the latest episode of the "Keluar Sekejap" podcast.
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