Khairy slams Indonesia, says it is a banana republic

PETALING JAYA, Sept. 6 — Former minister Khairy Jamaluddin has sharply criticized Indonesia for failing to prevent recurring forest and land fires in Kalimantan, which have triggered severe haze across Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak. He blamed weak enforcement and poor prosecution of environmental offenses, describing Indonesia as a “banana republic” with inadequate governance.

Speaking on his podcast Keluar Sekejap, Khairy argued that Indonesia’s response remains reactive, focusing on firefighting and cloud seeding while ignoring systemic issues such as corporate impunity and cheap land-clearing practices. Environmental group Walhi previously noted that most fires stem from deforestation for palm oil plantations, mining, and land clearing, worsened by El Niño.

Khairy slams Indonesia

Air quality in Serian, Sarawak, recently reached emergency levels with an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 521. Khairy also criticized ASEAN, saying its Transboundary Haze Agreement lacks enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or accountability. He noted Malaysia and Singapore had attempted civil action against companies linked to fires, but enforcement in Indonesia remained symbolic.

He warned the haze crisis has become an annual event with no clear resolution in sight.

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Khairy slams Indonesia