Politics · Indonesia · 3 hrs ago
Indonesian students protest government response to toxic regional haze
Thousands of students have protested across Indonesia over the government’s response to toxic haze blanketing cities and spreading across Southeast Asia.
The smoke comes mainly from forest and peatland fires, often started to clear land for agriculture, during Indonesia’s dry season.
This year’s fires are the worst on record, after unusually low rainfall and extreme heat left forests especially vulnerable.
More than 333,470 people in seven Indonesian provinces have suffered acute respiratory illnesses since mid-August.
The haze has also worsened air quality in Singapore and Malaysia, and unhealthy pollution has closed schools in East Timor.
Protesters want stronger action to prevent fires, hold responsible officials accountable and declare a national emergency, but no government decision on those demands is reported.
Thousands of students across Indonesia have protested the government’s response to toxic haze from forest and peatland fires.
On Friday, more than 500 protesters gathered outside the Central Kalimantan Governor’s Office in Palangkaraya.
The haze has spread to other Southeast Asian countries and prompted health concerns and public backlash.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Health said more than 333,470 residents in seven provinces had suffered acute respiratory illnesses since mid-August.
Students and civil society groups have called for stronger action, including a national emergency declaration.
- Who
- Thousands of Indonesian students, including more than 500 protesters in Palangkaraya. Student and civil society groups have also called for stronger government action.
- What
- They protested the government’s response to toxic haze caused primarily by forest and peatland fires.
- When
- Protests took place over several days, including Friday. The sources give publication dates of October 22 and 23, 2026.
- Where
- Across Indonesia, including Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan and cities on Borneo and Sumatra.
- Why
- Protesters demanded accountability and stronger action to address the haze and the fires fueling it.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
More than 333,470 residents across seven Indonesian provinces suffered acute respiratory illnesses, according to the Health Ministry.
Student protests spread to more than half a dozen Indonesian cities.
The Guardian published a report about students protesting in Kalimantan and Sumatra.
More than 500 protesters gathered outside the Central Kalimantan Governor’s Office in Palangkaraya.
- Protesters in Palangkaraya
- More than 500
- Affected provinces
- 7
- Residents with acute respiratory illnesses
- More than 333,470 since mid-August
- Protests earlier in the week
- More than half a dozen Indonesian cities
- Main sources of haze
- Forest and peatland fires, often started by slash-and-burn agriculture
3 sources
What people are saying
We want the officials responsible to be held accountable.
We want the government to openly declare a national disaster emergency.
The current haze crisis is a real symptom, a real example of how climate change affects our day-to-day lives.
You just can’t help but worry about your own health, especially when you might not have an air purifier.