Indonesians share haze footage, apologise and call for overseas pressure on Jakarta
Citizens posted viral videos of orange-tinged skies from Kalimantan fires, apologised for the haze and urged foreign governments to pressure Indonesia.
When wildfires ignited in Kalimantan during an El Niño-driven drought, the resulting haze turned the sky orange over Palangka Raya, prompting a local resident to upload the scene online. The clip quickly went viral, gathering millions of views and being reshared by news outlets worldwide. The poster, Firda Ayu Wahyu, apologized for the smoke that now reaches neighboring Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, and called on foreign governments to pressure the Indonesian authorities for a swifter, coordinated response.
By early September, more than 220,330 hectares of land in Central Kalimantan had burned, and air-quality monitors label the conditions "very unhealthy." Residents accuse the national and regional governments of delayed action, while urging the haze to be declared a national disaster. The episode highlights how social media is being used to amplify environmental grievances and demand accountability.
Why it matters
The haze threatens health across several countries and shows public frustration with Indonesia's fire-management policies.
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.
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