West Kalimantan Groups Sue Government Over Fires, Seek Disaster Declaration and Funds
Civil society groups in West Kalimantan have filed a class-action lawsuit demanding the government declare the forest-fire haze a national disaster and release emergency funds.
A coalition of West Kalimantan community groups filed a class-action suit (case 292/Pdt.G/2026/PN Ptk) accusing top national and regional leaders of failing to address the ongoing forest and land fires. The plaintiffs, representing AMAN West Kalimantan, Catholic Youth, Laman Punyung Indonesia and individual Sisilius Rami, seek a judicial declaration of a national disaster and an immediate release of the National Disaster Emergency Budget to fund medical care, weather-modification, peat-fire suppression and logistical aid.
The hearing is scheduled for 7 October 2026. Residents have suffered severe haze, with acute respiratory infections reported at 800-1,200 cases per day and limited access to clean water. Government agencies report seven active hotspots covering 122.9 hectares, with 65 hectares already extinguished.
President Prabowo Subianto has welcomed Malaysian assistance, including aircraft and crews, and ordered police to investigate corporations suspected of illegal burning. Police investigators have identified 162 suspects across 219 fire-related cases nationwide.
Why it matters
The lawsuit could force the Indonesian government to treat the haze as a national disaster and allocate urgent resources to protect health and the environment.
How this story developed
- Sep 9 ASEAN leaders warn connectivity alone won’t bridge emerging AI divide
- Sep 14 Thick haze from Kalimantan forest fires cut visibility to about 300 m, causing 73 flights over three days to be delayed or rescheduled at Supadio Airport.
- Sep 17 Indonesia broadened its wildfire‑containment operations to additional provinces and national parks.
- Sep 20 India and Thailand met to assess accelerating the ASEAN‑India trade pact review.
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