Indonesia's president says corporations bear responsibility for worsening haze
More than 1.9 million hectares have burned in Indonesia over the past nine months, driven by slash-and-burn practices and an El Niño‑related drought. President Prabowo has said many corporations are responsible and pledged to reveal their identities, while police, the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Forestry, the armed forces and intelligence agencies have been tasked with investigations. NGOs such as WALHI have used satellite data to map hotspots, finding roughly half inside palm‑oil and timber concessions and naming firms including First Resources and Asia Pulp and Paper, which argue the fires started outside their lands. The haze has pushed air‑pollution to hazardous levels in Indonesia and neighboring countries, prompting an emergency ASEAN meeting.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 27h later
- Left-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The trans‑border haze threatens public health and daily life across Southeast Asia.
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 8 Prime Minister Anwar said the worsening haze is a serious health risk and has asked President Prabowo to take action, while Malaysia ramps up cloud seeding.
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
- Oct 15 The government, led by Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu, is gathering evidence and keeping legal options open as PSI levels in western Singapore entered the very unhealthy range. The 2014 law allows fines up to S$100,000 per day, capped at S$2 million, for companies whose fires produce prolonged haze. Enforcement has been challenging, with limited data from Indonesian authorities and four firms still under investigation. Fu also urged Indonesia to curb the fires and called for ASEAN cooperation.
- Oct 16 President Prabowo appointed army general Kristomei Sianturi to lead BNPB.
- Oct 16 Indonesia formally accepted regional assistance and technical talks on its implementation are underway.
- Oct 16 Legal notices were served on seven Indonesian firms for their role in the haze.
- Oct 19 Student Alliance of Gadjah Mada University addressed ASEAN Secretary‑General urging scrutiny of Indonesia’s compliance and acceptance of regional firefighting support.
- Oct 19 Malaysia specified that it will provide three helicopters and 52 firefighters to support Indonesia’s fire‑fighting efforts.
- Oct 20 Indonesia’s BNPB and army chief launched a joint firefighting push in Central Kalimantan.
- Oct 22 President Prabowo publicly blamed corporations and pledged to identify them.
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