Kalimantan haze from forest fires cripples visibility and fuels respiratory illness
Smoke from ongoing forest and peat fires in Kalimantan has reduced visibility to about 10 m in Palangka Raya and caused respiratory problems for residents and ride-hailing drivers.
Thick haze from forest and peat fires that have been burning across Kalimantan since July enveloped Palangka Raya on Monday, limiting motorists’ visibility to about 10 meters and forcing ride-hailing drivers to crawl at 20-30 km/h. Driver Ahmat Maulana said he must continue working outdoors to support his family, despite developing a cough from the polluted air. About 220 km away, the village of Mantangai Hulu in Kapuas Regency is also shrouded in smoke, with resident Reni reporting nighttime shortness of breath as the haze seeps into her house.
The local health post has recorded a several-fold increase in patients with respiratory tract infections, yet Reni claims aid from the local government has not yet been delivered. The situation highlights the growing health burden on communities living under persistent fire-generated haze in Central Kalimantan.
Why it matters
The haze threatens public health and reveals gaps in government response to environmental disasters.
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.
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