Fact Check: Malaysia Reports Indonesia to the UN Over Forest Fire Haze
A post on X features an infographic depicting thick smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla). The infographic displays the Malaysian flag, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, an illustration of a man carrying documents labelled ‘UN’, and illustrations of forest fires in Indonesia.
The infographic carries the headline “Malaysia Reports Indonesia to the UN!” and narrates that Malaysia has reported Indonesia to the United Nations because Indonesia is deemed incapable of managing forest fires.
However, is it true that Malaysia has reported Indonesia to the UN regarding haze caused by forest fires?
Explanation:
Based on investigations, no information was found to suggest that Malaysia has reported Indonesia to the UN regarding forest fires and haze. According to reports from ANTARA, the Malaysian government is actually continuing to coordinate with the Indonesian government to manage the impact of haze reaching Malaysian territory.
The Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, Farzamie Sarkawi, stated that the Malaysian Environment Minister has sent a letter to the Indonesian Environment Minister and is communicating directly regarding the handling of forest fires.
Malaysia has also obtained approval from Indonesia to conduct weather modification operations through cloud seeding in the border areas of both countries. Malaysia also continues to coordinate with Indonesia and Singapore through the ASEAN mechanism to address transboundary haze issues. This mechanism refers to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, which was agreed upon in 2002.
Furthermore, Indonesia has stated that, to date, it has not received any diplomatic notes of protest from Malaysia or any other ASEAN nation regarding forest fires. The Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Dave Laksono, stated on 22 August 2024, that there has been no confirmation regarding an official note of protest from Malaysia or Singapore.
In recent developments, Malaysia has even expressed its readiness to assist Indonesia in managing forest fires. The Malaysian government has provided a list of assets that can be used to assist firefighting operations and is currently awaiting approval from Indonesia to deploy this aid.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian government continues to manage forest fires through land and air firefighting, weather modification operations, and law enforcement. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has identified six provinces as priority areas for forest fire management: West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Riau, Jambi, and South Sumatra.
Therefore, the claim that Malaysia has reported Indonesia to the UN due to an inability to manage forest fires is unfounded.
Claim: Malaysia reports Indonesia to the UN regarding haze
Rating: Disinformation