JAKARTA (Bernama): Months of recurring forest and land fires are putting growing pressure on Indonesian authorities, with protests and a class-action lawsuit reflecting public frustration as transboundary haze forces school closures in Malaysia and puts regional cooperation in the spotlight.
Hundreds of students and residents demonstrated in Jambi on Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Thursday, while in West Kalimantan, plaintiffs have filed a class-action lawsuit naming President Prabowo Subianto and other officials over alleged negligence in preventing and controlling recurring fires.
Beyond Indonesia’s borders, the haze has affected air quality in Malaysia and Singapore, disrupting daily activities and raising public health concerns, with schools in several Malaysian states and federal territories ordered closed on Friday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that he had personally contacted Prabowo over the situation.
In Jambi, one of six priority provinces for forest and land fire control, demonstrators gathered outside the provincial government office to demand stronger action against the fires. Local media reported that police deployed water cannons as tensions escalated.
Jambi provincial secretary Sudirman said the administration remained open to criticism and dialogue but regretted damage to public facilities during the demonstration, according to local media.
In West Kalimantan, the four plaintiffs include the provincial chapter of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN). Besides Prabowo, the suit also names nine other government officials and institutions and lists 14 additional parties, including government agencies and district administrations.
The plaintiffs are seeking stronger fire prevention, environmental restoration and healthcare protection for affected communities.
"This lawsuit is not intended to find fault with the government, but to encourage the state to fulfil its responsibility to protect the people and the environment, and ensure that forest and land fires do not continue to recur,” AMAN West Kalimantan acting head Tono said in a statement.
The first hearing at the Pontianak District Court on Wednesday was adjourned until Oct 21 after government representatives failed to attend, according to media reports.
Indonesian Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, in remarks reported by local media on Sept 22, described the lawsuit as part of citizens' efforts to exercise their right to a healthy environment.
The protests and legal challenge come as Indonesian authorities continue ground and aerial firefighting operations across affected provinces to contain forest and land fires.
As of Thursday night, the Forestry Ministry recorded 387 hotspots nationwide, down 67 per cent from 1,176 the previous day.
However, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned that prolonged dry conditions continued to pose a risk of further fires. In a statement on Oct 2, it forecast that the rainy season would begin across much of Indonesia in November and December, suggesting that vulnerable areas could remain exposed to fire risks until more consistent rainfall arrives.
Environmental organisation Greenpeace Indonesia, in a report jointly published with peatland protection group Pantau Gambut on Monday, raised concerns over recurring peatland fires and environmental degradation, calling for stronger prevention, restoration and accountability for those responsible.
The report also highlighted the persistent threat posed by peatland fires, which can continue burning beneath the surface and reignite, underscoring the need for sustained prevention and monitoring despite declining hotspot numbers.
Videos shared by residents on social media have captured scenes of the fires, with orange-red skies illuminated by flames, thick smoke billowing across affected areas and fires appearing to spread towards residential neighbourhoods.
Other footage showed roads and surrounding areas obscured by dense haze, while residents appealed for assistance as fires threatened nearby settlements.
In Malaysia, schools in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and the Rompin district in Pahang, were ordered closed on Friday due to the haze.
"The haze situation is indeed worrying. I personally contacted President Prabowo, and he agreed to take the necessary steps,” Anwar said.
Anwar said Malaysia remained ready to assist Indonesia and had instructed Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan to contact the ASEAN Secretariat to arrange a meeting of regional environment ministers to coordinate efforts against transboundary haze. -- BERNAMA
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