DPR Member Urges Government to Lead Discussions on Forest Fires at ASEAN Summit

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Daniel Johan emphasized the importance of bringing the issue of forest and land fires (karhutla) to the upcoming ASEAN Summit in the Philippines this November.

However, he urged Indonesia to take the initiative and leadership at this highest ASEAN forum while upholding national sovereignty and principles of equitable cooperation.

"It is necessary and important; even Indonesia must take the initiative and leadership by bringing data, an evaluation agenda, and a joint improvement roadmap to the summit, so Indonesia can control regional solutions," Daniel told Kompas.com on Friday (23/10/2026).

He noted that addressing karhutla and cross-border haze is a shared interest in the region, governed by the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) 2002 and the ASEAN Charter.

Thus, if Indonesia raises this issue at the summit, it would demonstrate its leadership and diplomatic strength in accordance with the previously agreed treaties.

He added that this regional discussion could also serve as a strategic space to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and knowledge sharing among friendly nations.

"Given that the impacts of karhutla are felt across borders, its management requires shared responsibility and support from neighboring countries. Therefore, discussions at the ASEAN level can enhance coordination, preparedness, and experience sharing to prevent a recurrence of such incidents, which could be detrimental to Indonesia and its neighbors," said Daniel.

Nevertheless, Daniel stressed that international cooperation must operate on the principle of national sovereignty.

Managing the situation within Indonesia is the responsibility of the Indonesian government without any external intervention.

"The ASEAN forum should be a platform for equal cooperation and mutual respect, not a tool to pressure or regulate our domestic policies," said the politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB).

Regarding disaster response support, Indonesia remains open to foreign assistance as long as it is supportive and does not impose binding obligations.

Furthermore, the majority of the burned areas are located within corporate concessions, including multinational corporations based in neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

"If discussed at the summit, Indonesia could advocate for the principle of shared responsibility: foreign companies with burned lands should also face consequences in their own countries, not just Indonesia being blamed," he said.