Class‑action suit over Kalimantan haze proceeds as officials skip Pontianak hearing
Four civil groups and an individual have filed a class‑action lawsuit in Pontianak naming President Prabowo Subianto, the governor of West Kalimantan and other officials. The hearing began on Wednesday, but none of the ten defendants appeared in court. Lawyers say the case is a step toward addressing the annual fires that have been intensified by an intense El Niño episode. The haze has disrupted schools and triggered respiratory problems in the region.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 96h later
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
- Centrist coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The lawsuit highlights the challenge of holding authorities accountable for recurring haze that harms public health and daily life.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage condemns the Indonesian government for gross negligence and stresses regional health harms, while center coverage reports the class-action lawsuit and the government's absence without overt condemnation, and right-leaning coverage highlights President Prabowo’s pledge to act, framing the response as cooperative.
LEFT
Frames the story as evidence of gross governmental negligence causing widespread haze, health crises and the need for stronger regional enforcement.
CENTER
Frames the story as a factual report on the class-action lawsuit, the government's non-appearance, and the broader haze crisis intensified by El Niño.
The left emphasises
- gross negligence
- spike in respiratory illnesses and school closures
- call for stronger ASEAN cooperation on monitoring and enforcement
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Civil groups sue Indonesian government over West Kalimantan fire negligence
- Oct 1 President Prabowo Subianto has named Arrmanatha Nasir, known as Tata, to replace Sugiono as foreign minister amid a broader cabinet reshuffle.
- Oct 4 Arrmanatha Nasir was sworn in as foreign minister.
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
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