‘We want to breathe fresh air’: Indonesians on fire-ravaged island sue Prabowo, officials over haze

Indonesians on the island of Borneo are taking legal action against President Prabowo Subianto and 26 government officials in response to devastating wildfires that have caused a public health crisis. These wildfires emit a noxious haze that results in illnesses, the closure of schools and significant economic disruption. The plaintiffs, including NGOs representing youths, environmental and Indigenous causes in West Kalimantan, claim negligence, omission and failure on the part of the government.

They demand clean air, healthy environments, and basic rights such as education and health care. Despite limited resources, the community has been fighting the fires with little more than garden hoses and surgical masks. The government has deployed firefighters, used cloud-seeding and water-bombing, but with limited success. The plaintiffs want the government to declare a national emergency, provide free health services for those affected, and compensate families of those who have died from the haze-related illnesses.

They also seek an investigation into the causes, pointing the finger at large corporations burning land for timber, rice and palm oil cultivation, or mining activities. The government has expressed respect for the legal action and stated that many concerns raised by residents are already being addressed through ongoing efforts. However, the plaintiffs remain unconvinced, citing previous major fires in 2015, 2019 and 2026 that have been even more severe.