🇮🇩 Indonesia Haze Protests Spread

Protests expanded in Central Kalimantan on Oct 15 as residents demanded stronger action on forest and land fires, tighter penalties for companies linked to the blazes, and more support for affected communities. Indonesia is facing one of its worst fire seasons in years, with Health Ministry data cited by Reuters showing 283,270 respiratory illness cases across seven provinces as of Oct 13, while regional haze has also hit Singapore and Malaysia; officials are still debating a national disaster declaration.

The fires have been intensified by an El Nino-driven drought that left forest and peatland areas highly flammable. The episode has become a cross-border issue: Singapore’s one-hour PM2.5 reading reached 284 micrograms per cubic metre in western areas on Oct 14, and several Malaysian states closed schools because of pollution.

BNPB chief Kristomei Sianturi said the government would assess a disaster declaration but prioritise a fast and effective response first. The protests add domestic pressure as the haze crisis widens beyond Indonesia.

#Indonesia #Singapore #Malaysia

@asianomics