Indonesia says ASEAN dialogue must continue before Manila summit

Key facts

• Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, director-general for ASEAN cooperation at Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, said diplomacy requires non-stop dialogue.
• Indonesia cut 31 billion British thermal units per day of pipeline gas exports to Singapore, according to the report.
• Singapore and Indonesia agreed to set up a joint task force to track money transfers of companies responsible for the haze.
• Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said both governments share a commitment to the sanctity of contract.
• ASEAN leaders are due to gather in Manila about two weeks after November 4, 2026, the report said.

A senior Indonesian diplomat said on November 4, 2026 that dialogue among ASEAN members must not stop, as a dispute with Singapore over transboundary haze and gas exports continues. Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi, director-general for ASEAN cooperation at Indonesia's Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Jakarta that minds can differ but meetings were still taking place. "Diplomacy must not stop," she said, according to Jakarta Globe.

Ties between the neighbors have been tense after wildfires in Indonesia blanketed Singapore in smog for months. Complaints from Singapore over air quality drew sharp rebukes from Indonesian officials. Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Jakarta in the week before November 4, 2026 and met President Prabowo Subianto and Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir. The two governments agreed to set up a joint task force to track money transfers of companies responsible for the haze, Jakarta Globe reported. Balakrishnan said the meeting set a political commitment on both sides to implement plans and execute commitments.

Indonesia cut 31 billion British thermal units per day of pipeline gas exports to Singapore, according to Jakarta Globe, and defended the reductions as far from breaching existing agreements. Balakrishnan said both governments share a commitment to the sanctity of contract. Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia threatened to delay Singapore-bound green electricity exports to prioritize domestic needs, then clarified the exports could proceed at the right price, the report said.

ASEAN leaders are due to gather in Manila about two weeks after November 4, 2026, Jakarta Globe reported. The palace will announce whether Prabowo will travel to the gathering. Singapore is set to take over the bloc's chairmanship for 2027.