Cross-border Intervention Arrangements for Forest Fire-suppression Efforts

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment what immediate bilateral representations or joint interventions Singapore has initiated with regional partners to assist with fire-suppression efforts in recent active hotspot clusters.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Member may wish to refer to the combined reply issued in Parliament on 12 February 2026, which sets out the bilateral and regional haze-mitigation measures that Singapore has in place with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, including Malaysia and Indonesia. [Please refer to "Assessment of Transboundary Haze Episodes, and Review of Bilateral and Regional Haze-mitigation Measures", Official Report, 12 February 2026, Vol 96, Issue 17, Oral Answers to Questions section.]

Further to the combined reply, in May 2026, Singapore sent a written correspondence encouraging ASEAN member states to enhance vigilance in view of the anticipated El Niño phenomenon, as well as acknowledging and appreciating the early proactive measures undertaken by member states to mitigate the risks.

At the 27th Sub-Regional Ministerial Committee on Transboundary Haze Pollution, held in Bali, Indonesia in July 2026, member states also acknowledged the heightened risk posed by the El Niño phenomenon and reaffirmed their commitment to stay vigilant in the dry season. In June 2026, Singapore and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation, which includes cooperation on transboundary pollution among other areas.

We are closely monitoring the ongoing haze situation and stand ready to further partner ASEAN member states on haze mitigation measures where necessary.