Politics · Indonesia · 2 days ago
DPR member urges disaster status for smoke crisis in Palangka Raya
Lawmakers urged Indonesia’s central government to consider disaster status for smoke from forest and land fires in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan.
The fires have left the city’s air quality in serious condition, according to Sigit Karyawan Yunianto, a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives.
He said firefighting needs adequate equipment, fuel and operating funds, alongside steps to protect people’s health.
The government says it can still manage the fires and has not declared them a national disaster.
Officials say six provinces are a focus of the response, including Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra, and that thick smoke makes helicopter access difficult in some areas.
Children, older people and residents with breathing problems face particular risks, Yunianto said.
The government says it is prioritizing the fires and rotating field personnel as it works to put them out.
A Central Kalimantan lawmaker urged the central government to act quickly on severe smoke pollution in Palangka Raya and asked it to consider declaring a disaster status based on conditions on the ground.
Sigit Karyawan Yunianto said response efforts needed a full review, including whether firefighting equipment had enough fuel and operating funds.
He said the response should also protect the health of affected residents, especially children, older people and those with breathing problems.
The government said it could still manage the fires and would not declare a national disaster, while another lawmaker called for that status and for possible foreign assistance.
- Who
- Sigit Karyawan Yunianto, a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission XII, urged action. The government’s position was stated by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman.
- What
- Sigit urged the central government to consider a disaster status for the smoke crisis in Palangka Raya and improve the response. The government said it would not declare a national disaster at this stage.
- When
- Sigit’s comments were reported on October 13, 2026. Dudung gave the government’s position on October 12.
- Where
- Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- Why
- Forest and land fires have caused severe smoke pollution, which threatens public health and disrupts daily life.
Lawmakers urging disaster status
Government
Disaster status
Lawmakers urging disaster status
Sigit urged the government to consider a disaster status based on conditions on the ground; Daniel Johan called for a national disaster status.
Government
Dudung said the government was still able to manage the fires and would not declare a national disaster.
Response needed
Lawmakers urging disaster status
Sigit called for a review of firefighting readiness and stronger health protections; Daniel said outside assistance could be needed.
Government
Dudung said the government had deployed resources and made the fires a priority.
Forest and land fires had been occurring in various parts of Indonesia, according to lawmaker Daniel Johan.
Dudung Abdurachman said the government could still manage the fires and would not declare a national disaster.
Sigit Karyawan Yunianto urged the central government to consider a disaster status for the smoke crisis in Palangka Raya.
- Location
- Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan
- Sigit Karyawan Yunianto
- Member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission XII
- Dudung Abdurachman
- Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs
- Government position
- No national disaster status, as of October 12, 2026
- Daniel Johan’s estimate
- Fires had been occurring for at least three months
2 sources
What people are saying
I think the handling of forest and land fires needs to be evaluated comprehensively, especially regarding the readiness of firefighting facilities and infrastructure.
Not yet, not yet. We are still able to handle it.
The current condition is already on the verge of being very dangerous for public health; three months of fires have made it like living in hell for affected people.