Indonesia’s government insists it can manage the raging forest fires without declaring a national disaster, even as toxic haze blankets the region, disrupts flights, closes schools and sparks health crises across borders.
Firefighters battled wildfires in Banjarbaru in Indonesia’s South Kalimantan province, on October 13, 2026, as thick smoke from peatland blazes continued to shroud communities on Borneo and drift across Southeast Asia. The image captured a crisis that has persisted for months, driven by prolonged drought linked to a powerful El Niño event and the annual practice of land clearing. Yet Jakarta has drawn sharp criticism for refusing to declare the fires a national disaster, a step that environmental groups and some lawmakers say would unlock greater resources and potentially open the door to international assistance.
Government Stance Draws Criticism
Coordinating Political and Security Affairs Minister Dudung Abdurachman stated after a limited cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto that Indonesia had no plans to elevate the status of the forest and land fires. “We are still capable of handling it,” Dudung told reporters, adding that the President had ordered intensified firefighting and mitigation efforts to bring the blazes under control as soon as possible. International offers of help were not discussed at the meeting, though the minister acknowledged concerns from neighbouring countries about the transboundary haze.
The decision has faced pushback at home. Greenpeace forest campaigner Belgis Habiba argued that the scale of the crisis and its impact on communities justified a national disaster declaration. She criticised the government for failing to prevent the fires despite scientific warnings about the heightened drought risk this year. “This situation hasn’t been handled seriously, evidenced by the failure to declare the [fires and haze] a national disaster,” she said.
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) similarly faulted the response and questioned the reluctance to accept foreign assistance. Campaigner Uli Arta Siagian cautioned that any disaster designation should not reframe the fires as purely natural, which could absolve companies of responsibility for blazes on their concessions. House of Representatives Commission IV member Daniel Johan, who oversees forestry matters, expressed support for the status, noting it could enable more funding and manpower. “Our top priority is the safety of the people in Kalimantan, Sumatra and other affected areas,” he said.
Regional Fallout Intensifies
The haze has disrupted daily life far beyond Indonesia’s borders. Malaysia Airlines cancelled flights to and from Jeddah and Madinah until mid-October, while low-cost carrier Firefly extended cancellations between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Schools in parts of Malaysia have closed, and air quality indices in cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore have ranked among the world’s worst in recent days. Singapore reactivated health-care subsidies for haze-related illnesses for the first time since 2015.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim contacted President Prabowo about the “alarming” levels of haze, offering assistance. Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu similarly reached out to her Indonesian counterpart. The smoke has also affected East Timor, prompting a three-day nationwide school closure, and reached as far as the Philippines.
Within Indonesia, the government has prioritised six provinces: Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi and Riau. Particular attention has focused on Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, where more than 513 hectares burned recently. Persistent fires have strained volunteer firefighters, with at least four deaths reported among those battling blazes in the park. Some volunteers have withdrawn amid limited support.
Health Impacts Mount Across Borders
Health consequences have been severe. Respiratory illness cases linked to the haze in seven Indonesian provinces surged to 277,075 by mid-October, more than double the figure recorded a month earlier. More than 12.5 million people across affected regions have been exposed to toxic smoke. Children have been particularly vulnerable, with tens of thousands of cases involving young children. Air quality in places such as Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan has reached levels several times above the hazardous threshold, turning skies orange and reducing visibility to mere dozens of metres.
In South Kalimantan, Banjarbaru and surrounding areas have endured prolonged periods of thick haze from peatland fires. Visibility has dropped to as low as 10 metres in some locations, disrupting airport operations at Syamsudin Noor International Airport and forcing shifts to online learning for students. Similar disruptions have affected more than 1.4 million students across Indonesia at the height of the crisis, with thousands of schools closing or moving online.
Neighbouring countries have recorded parallel spikes in respiratory complaints and emergency measures. Singapore’s decision to revive health subsidies underscores the cross-border nature of the public health emergency.
Causes Rooted in Land Use and Climate
The fires form part of Indonesia’s worst wildfire season in more than a decade. Independent monitoring has recorded hundreds of thousands of hotspots and nearly 900,000 hectares burned since the start of the year. Peatlands, once drained for agriculture and plantations, burn underground and release dense, long-lasting smoke that is difficult to extinguish. Environmental groups point to deliberate land clearing by companies and individuals as a major driver, alongside the intensified dry conditions from El Niño.
Authorities have suspended operating licences of dozens of companies linked to the fires and launched investigations. Cloud-seeding operations, water-bombing by aircraft, and ground teams have been deployed, with the military supporting efforts in areas such as South Kalimantan. Yet critics argue that preventive measures and enforcement have fallen short, allowing the crisis to escalate.
International Offers and Sovereignty Concerns
Malaysia and Singapore have repeatedly offered firefighting support, including aircraft, helicopters and personnel. Japan previously provided Chinook helicopters. Indonesia has indicated it will assess offers based on effectiveness but has so far preferred to manage the response domestically. Some Malaysian politicians have suggested stronger regional mechanisms, including an ASEAN firefighting task force, or even legal avenues if cooperation remains limited.
ASEAN foreign ministers are expected to discuss the transboundary haze at an upcoming meeting. The episode highlights longstanding regional tensions over the annual haze, which has strained diplomatic relations in previous severe seasons such as 2015.
President Prabowo has ordered additional resources and described containing the fires as a top priority. Environment officials have expressed hope that the blazes can be controlled within weeks, though forecasts suggest dry conditions may persist into November or December in some areas. Civil society groups continue to press for stronger accountability, better peatland management and greater openness to external help when public safety is at stake.
