Indonesia threatens legal action as wildfire haze spreads to Malaysia

Indonesia’s government warned on Friday that it will pursue legal measures against anyone who starts an open fire, after extensive wildfires on Borneo generated a thick haze that blanketed Indonesian cities and drifted into neighboring Malaysia. The Forestry Ministry recorded over 5,000 hotspots on the Indonesian portion of the island, where visibility in some Kalimantan districts fell to just 1-10 meters, disrupting traffic and flights.

The smoke entered Malaysia’s Sarawak state, leading to “very unhealthy” air quality readings and the shutdown of almost 600 schools, impacting roughly 200,000 pupils. Central Kalimantan Police Chief Iwan Kurniawan said 12 suspects have been arrested for alleged arson and illegal clearing. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, who visited fire-hit areas near Palangka Raya, vowed that anyone responsible, regardless of size, will face strict legal action. The National Disaster Management Agency linked the worsening conditions to an intensifying El Niño pattern and a prolonged dry season.