JakartaPost-Oct 27, 2026
Ministers from Singapore and Indonesia are raising the stakes in a diplomatic spat over a gas supply cut, trading pointed remarks that expose a widening rift stemming from the regional haze crisis. In the latest salvo of an increasingly testy bilateral conflict, Coordinating Energy Transition Minister Bahlil Lahadalia on Monday pushed back against criticism of Jakarta’s decision to cut gas exports to Singapore in favor of domestic consumers. He insisted the move fell within contractual limits and followed President Prabowo Subianto’s instruction to honor Indonesia’s obligations. “Do not lecture us, especially the energy ministry, on the importance of honoring contracts,” Bahlil said in Jakarta, calling for mutual respect. “I want to reiterate that we are neither breaching regulations nor violating any contracts. […] I must say, I am a bit puzzled. Perhaps the person raising this issue has not actually read the contracts?” he added. Bahlil’s defense came a day after Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, without naming names, urged all parties which have signed commercial contracts for gas supplies to “honor their commitments”, after Jakarta cut 31 million standard cubic feet of gas per day from its pipeline exports to Singapore. Though Indonesian gas accounts for less than 2 percent of Singapore’s total daily gas demand, Wong said Singapore would continue to stand up for its national interests. Speaking at an energy-focused conference a few hours before Bahlil took a swipe at Singapore on Monday, Singapore energy minister Tan See Leng highlighted the “concerning” phenomenon of “resource nationalism”, though without naming any countries. Jakarta has insisted that the abrupt export cut was purely pragmatic, aimed at maintaining a reliable domestic gas supply amid global uncertainties. But observers have questioned its underlying motives, particularly as no other country was affected in the gas supply cut and because the reduction came amid a diplomatic falling out between Indonesia and countries in the region over haze from forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Months into Indonesia’s wildfire crisis, patience has worn thin among its neighbors, including Singapore. Jakarta has yet to apologize and instead continues to cite natural factors and weather conditions, while Singapore has demanded concrete plans to contain the fires. Read more at:
