Indonesia's Toxic Haze Chokes Millions

Indonesia is grappling with its most severe wildfire season in ten years, engulfing millions in a toxic haze. Air quality across Kalimantan and Sumatra has reached hazardous levels, with the smog extending to Singapore and Malaysia. This year's extreme fires are attributed to an unusually strong El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon. Independent monitoring shows over 1.04 million wildfire hotspots recorded, consuming approximately 900,000 hectares of land.

Many of these fires stem from slash-and-burn practices, traditionally used for agriculture but now increasingly linked to large-scale commercial farming. Activists and government investigations accuse companies of using fire as a cost-effective land-clearing method. Despite being illegal, enforcement of the ban has been challenging.

In response to the persistent haze, Indonesian authorities have intensified efforts to penalize offenders. President Prabowo Subianto has condemned slash-and-burn farming as "ecological terrorism" and called for stricter sanctions. Recently, operating licenses for 26 companies implicated in the wildfires were suspended, with further investigations and potential court cases announced.

Controversy also involves companies based in Singapore and Malaysia. A Greenpeace report identified businesses like Singapore-based First Resources and Malaysian group Kuala Lumpur Kepong, linking them to Indonesian land where fires occurred. Both companies have denied wrongdoing, citing zero-burning policies and robust fire prevention measures.

International tensions have surfaced, reminiscent of past disputes. In 2015, Indonesia's then-Vice-President Jusuf Kalla controversially suggested neighbors enjoyed Indonesian air for most of the year. More recently, government officials have made comments implying neighboring countries' oxygen supply comes from Indonesian forests. Despite these remarks, Indonesian officials have acknowledged offers of assistance from Singapore and Malaysia.

Domestically, civil society groups are pursuing legal action. In West Kalimantan, a class-action lawsuit accuses the government of "gross negligence" over the recurrent haze, seeking a national disaster declaration for recovery measures. Meanwhile, residents in affected areas continue to brave the dangerous air quality daily, calling for immediate solutions.