Singapore has sent formal request to Indonesia for names of errant firms: MFA

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has sent a formal request for the names of the companies suspected of being linked to the haze in Indonesia and has also reiterated its offer of assistance.

"This was in response to the request by the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, who had previously said that if Singapore wanted the names of these companies to be officially sent to it, then this had to be done through the government-to-government channel," said an MFA spokesman in response to media queries."We look forward to an early response from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on our requests so that we can take the necessary action against those who are responsible for the haze."

The spokesman added that, in the same note, Singapore also reiterated its haze-assistance offer to Indonesia, which includes a team from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to provide assessment and planning assistance as well as up to three C-130 aircraft for cloud-seeding operations and to ferry the SCDF team.

In addition, Singapore is offering high-resolution satellite pictures and hotspot coordinates and a Chinook helicopter.

The spokesman added: "Singapore stands ready to assist Indonesia in its haze-combating and fire-fighting efforts."