PM Wong, Prabowo committed to ‘do what is necessary’ to tackle bilateral issues, including haze: Vivian Balakrishnan - CNA

Dr Balakrishnan said Indonesia and Singapore have a “common commitment” to the sanctity of contracts as it reflects the credibility and competitiveness of both sides.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim in a meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at this private residence in Bogor on Oct 28, 2026. (Facebook: Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim)

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Nicole Lam 28 Oct 2026 07:53PM (Updated: 29 Oct 2026 01:49PM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed on Wednesday (Oct 28) that Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto have communicated and set the political commitment to do whatever is needed to tackle bilateral challenges, including the haze issue. 

"Communication has occurred at the highest level between my prime minister and President Prabowo,” said Dr Balakrishnan.

“It sets the political commitment on both sides to do what is necessary, and now we'll have to implement those plans, execute that commitment," he added.

He did not give further details on what was discussed between both leaders.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less Dr Balakrishnan was speaking to Singapore media while on a three-day official visit to the Indonesian capital from Tuesday to Thursday. He was also hosted by Mr Prabowo at his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on Wednesday.

The closed-door meeting took place following a request by Dr Balakrishnan, who arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday, according to Indonesia’s Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. 

Dr Balakrishnan had also met with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir and announced a joint task force to coordinate investigations into errant companies by sharing information and cross-border evidence.

Singapore and Indonesia also announced a new hotline to handle any differences in bilateral issues.

Tackling the haze issue is a “top national priority” for Mr Prabowo, said Mr Arrmanatha on Tuesday.

“No border should shield those who profit from burning our forests,” he said.

Responding to a question by CNA on Wednesday, Dr Balakrishnan said he was not in a position to give details on the composition of the task force. 

He added that "given the commitment at the senior level for both countries, we will get this done quickly, promptly, and effectively".   

When asked about the gas contracts issue and how Indonesia and Singapore reached a consensus during his visit, Dr Balakrishnan said Singaporean and Indonesian ministers share a common commitment to the "sanctity of contract".

On Oct 24, Indonesia began reducing natural gas exports to Singapore to divert more supplies to domestic electricity needs.

These cuts are within contractual limits, said Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia on Oct 26.

Speaking at a convention by the People’s Action Party on Sunday, Mr Wong said Singapore expects all parties who have signed commercial contracts for gas supplies to “honour their commitments”, adding that Singapore’s gas importer will take the steps needed to protect its rights and interests.

Dr Balakrishnan said on Wednesday: "All sides understand that there is a reason why signatures and contractual obligations matter … it goes to the credibility and the competitiveness of the economies on both sides."

"Look at actions, not just at words … Contracts mean something, and the sanctity of contract is upheld. That's important."