Expert: Debate Cannot Extinguish Karhutla, ASEAN Must Unite

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Hikmahanto Juwana, a Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia (UI), emphasized that the debate over forest and land fires (Karhutla) among ASEAN member countries cannot extinguish the flames.

He stressed that ASEAN countries must unite to take immediate action in extinguishing the fires, so that the Karhutla issue can be promptly addressed.

"All countries must come together to resolve this fire issue," he stated in a video message on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

Moreover, Hikmahanto reminded that ASEAN has the Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

"The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution states that fires occurring in one country are fires for the ASEAN region," he added.

Hikmahanto pointed out that these fires have significant impacts on neighboring nations, especially Malaysia and Singapore.

However, when considering the affected population, he noted that the people of Indonesia have been hit much harder by this disaster.

"Our people in Indonesia, both in Sumatra and Kalimantan, are already suffering. They can’t breathe as they normally would, inhaling fresh air," he reiterated.

Therefore, he hopes that the political debates among government officials, both from Indonesia and neighboring countries, can come to an end.

Hikmahanto understands the frustration of neighboring countries, but he emphasized that the priority now is to extinguish the Karhutla fires collaboratively.

"So once again, putting out the fire is the most urgent priority today," he concluded.