When the state rolls back reform promises, from Sabang to Merauke
From raging wildfires to simmering revolts in the regions, a hyper-centralized Jakarta is driving the country toward a dangerous breaking point that harks back to past policy failures.
A cascade of crises threatens Indonesia's stability from Sabang to Merauke. Flash points have emerged rapidly, including protests in Papua, Aceh, and Central Java, as well as devastating wildfires in various regions. The situation began on August 11 when Papuans in Ilaga, Central Papua, clashed with authorities over fiscal cuts to the 2026 Village Fund, sparking outrage about budgetary reductions. However, the fiscal cuts are just one aspect of Papua's distress.
The region is grappling with an El Nino-driven social and environmental crisis, which has dried up Lake Paniai, disrupted a nutritious meal program in Asmat due to water shortages, and burned extensive forests in Merauke and Mappi. Official records show 25,838 hectares burned between January and July, but nonprofit research institute Madani Berkelanjutan estimates the damage to be closer to 41,800 hectares.
Further exacerbating Papa's woes, unseasonal frost and hail have led to widespread crop failures in the highland regencies of Puncak and Lanny Jaya. For centuries, indigenous Papuans have managed climate volatility through customary stewardship, but their resilience is now being undermined by top-down National Strategic Projects (PSN).
The Papua Law Enforcement and Human Rights Coalition has challenged the Merauke regent's environmental suitability decree for PSN access roads, demanding dedicated emergency disaster response teams across Papua.
The fires extend beyond Papua's borders, with the Kalimantan blazes consuming 57,081 hectares in the first half of 2026, surpassing the midyear national tally of 107,000 hectares. Meanwhile, Sumatra has lost over 28,000 hectares across Riau, the Riau Islands, Lampung (including Way Kambas National Park), West Sumatra, South Sumatra, and Jambi. These overlapping crises signal a deep structural rot in state governance that echoes past policy failures.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
