Indonesia wildfire haze lawsuit targets government over annual fires

Indigenous and civil society groups in Indonesian Borneo have filed a class action lawsuit accusing the government of gross negligence over wildfires that have spread toxic haze across parts of Southeast Asia. The case was heard in Pontianak, the provincial capital of West Kalimantan, where judges adjourned the opening session until 21 October after none of the named defendants attended. The lawsuit names President Prabowo Subianto and the governor of West Kalimantan among 10 defendants.

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The plaintiffs are seeking comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation measures, including coverage of residents' healthcare costs. Their lawyer, Glorio Sanen, said the case was intended as a step toward addressing the annual fire problem in Indonesia. He said the plaintiffs regretted the absence of government representatives at the hearing, while also suggesting the haze may have affected travel to Pontianak.

The fires are part of a recurring pattern in Indonesia, where land is often cleared by burning for oil palm planting. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil, and the practice has long drawn criticism for contributing to smoke pollution and environmental damage. The government has said it is cracking down on the blazes and has deployed the military to help fight them.

This year's fires have been worsened by unusually intense El Niño conditions, which have left the region drier than usual. The resulting smog has drifted beyond Indonesia, affecting Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and even the Philippines. The transboundary haze has also led to school closures in parts of Malaysia, including Johor, where local authorities said classes would be shut on Thursday and Friday because of deteriorating air quality.

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The case adds a legal dimension to a long-running environmental and public health crisis in the region. Indonesia has faced repeated criticism over its response to slash-and-burn land clearing, while neighbouring countries have repeatedly borne the effects of the smoke. The lawsuit also reflects growing pressure on officials to show that enforcement and prevention measures are working, rather than relying on emergency firefighting once the haze has already spread.

The West Kalimantan case was filed last month by four plaintiffs, including a chapter of the Indigenous rights group AMAN and the local branch of Catholic Youth. One plaintiff, Yakobus Kumis, who represents a Dayak community indigenous to Borneo, said he was disappointed by the government's absence from the hearing. What remains unclear is how quickly the court will move once the hearing resumes, and whether the defendants will attend on 21 October.

The wider question is whether the lawsuit will lead to any change in how Indonesia handles the annual fires that continue to affect the region.

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