Indonesia accused of ‘gross negligence’ in wildfires lawsuit as haze tests region

Indonesian NGOs have filed a class action lawsuit against the Indonesian government, accusing it of "gross negligence" in handling annual wildfires that have engulfed large parts of Southeast Asia in toxic haze. The lawsuit, filed by indigenous and civil society groups from Indonesian Borneo, alleges that President Prabowo Subianto and West Kalimantan Governor are among 10 defendants. The case seeks comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation measures to cover healthcare costs of residents affected by the fires.

The Indonesian government has been criticized for not doing enough to stop "slash and burn" land clearances, which are often lit as a cheap way to clear land for oil palm plantations. The blazes have reached a crisis point this year, exacerbated by an unusually intense El Niño weather phenomenon, leading to a transboundary haze that has affected Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and even the Philippines.

The four plaintiffs in the West Kalimantan lawsuit include AMAN, a chapter of an Indigenous NGO, and the local branch of Catholic Youth. Yakobus Kumis, representing a Dayak ethnic group, expressed disappointment that government representatives did not attend the hearing, accusing the central government of ignoring warning signs and legitimizing illegal activities.

The government has vowed a crackdown on the fires, deploying the military to combat them. However, the presidential office did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.