Governance failures and economic incentives drive Southeast Asian haze crisis

Source:CNA

02 — Who / Subject

Mohd Yunus, Indonesian government

03 — Where / Locus

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

04 — When / Temporality

May 20, 2026

Verified: May 20, 2026

05 — Why / Core Summary

"Rising fire risks in Indonesia's peatlands are linked to political and economic choices rather than just climate change. Over 32,600 hectares of land in Indonesia have burned as of February 2026, significantly higher than the previous year. The article argues that current regional policies are reactive and fail to address the structural drivers of land conversion."

Conflict Analysis

An analytical commentary on the recurring environmental crisis in Southeast Asia, focusing on governance and economic policy.

Recommended Background Resource

Affiliate / AdAI Curation

The Burning Season: The Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest

Author: Andrew Revkin

While focused on the Amazon, this classic work provides a profound understanding of the intersection between economic development, land rights, and the political economy of deforestation, which is essential for understanding the structural causes of the haze crisis in Southeast Asia.

Explore Background Book (Amazon)

As an Amazon Associate, COMPAMIR earns from qualifying purchases.

Post