World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Indonesian civic group urges national disaster status for forest fires
Gerakan Nurani Bangsa urged Indonesia to declare the fires a national disaster as forest and land fires continue in several parts of the country.
The group is a non-partisan civic movement whose members include religious and public figures.
A total of 639.23 hectares was still burning across six provinces, according to Indonesia’s disaster agency chief.
The group said the fires have lasted a long time and are affecting the daily lives of nearby residents.
A national disaster status could help speed support for affected people and make firefighting more coordinated, it said.
The group also called for better health care, fair investigations, access for international aid and steps to protect relations with neighboring countries.
President Prabowo has made firefighting a government priority and instructed officials to use all necessary resources, while Central and South Kalimantan remain the main focus.
Gerakan Nurani Bangsa urged Indonesia’s government to declare the forest and land fires a national disaster.
The group said the designation would help ensure affected residents’ basic rights and support a more focused, coordinated response.
It cited the fires’ scale and duration, the lack of significant improvement and their effects on residents’ daily lives.
The group also called for better health services, fair law enforcement and access for foreign and international aid.
Indonesia’s disaster agency said 639.23 hectares were still burning across six provinces as of a meeting on October 12.
- Who
- Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (GNB), a non-partisan civic movement, urged the government to act.
- What
- GNB called for a national disaster designation for forest and land fires in Indonesia.
- When
- GNB made the call on the evening of October 13, 2026.
- Where
- The fires affected several parts of Indonesia; two provinces were the focus of response efforts.
- Why
- GNB cited the fires’ scale and duration, the lack of significant improvement and effects on residents’ daily lives.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
At a meeting with President Prabowo, disaster agency head Suharyanto said 639.23 hectares were still burning across six provinces.
Gerakan Nurani Bangsa urged the government to declare the fires a national disaster.
- Movement
- Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (GNB)
- Burning area
- 639.23 hectares across six provinces
- Focus provinces
- Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan
- Newly reported fire
- 513.89 hectares in Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan
- Law cited
- Law No. 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management
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What people are saying
The state must immediately declare forest and land fires a National Disaster in accordance with Law No. 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management, so that the basic rights of affected citizens can be fulfilled quickly.
The central and regional governments should immediately improve their public communication and stop blaming natural factors, because all forest fires always begin with burning to clear land for large plantations.
And if there are needs, if there is anything you need, say so.