Full Breakdown
Indonesia’s Wildfire Crisis: Provincial-Central Tensions and Regional Haze
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Fires, Protests and a Blame Game
Forest and peatland fires have raged across Kalimantan and Sumatra, producing thick haze that spreads to Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor. On Oct 19, protesters from the Central Kalimantan People Fighting Alliance gathered outside Governor Agustiar Sabran’s office in Palangka Raya, demanding that Jakarta declare the blazes a national disaster and return concession-revocation powers to the province. The protest was amplified by a TikTok video that amassed 26,000 likes by Oct 20. The provincial administration has accused the central government of issuing forest-concession permits while leaving local authorities to fight the fires.
Background & Context
The 2020 Job Creation Law shifted most forestry-licensing authority from provinces to the national government, concentrating permit control in Jakarta. Analysts note that this centralisation places decision-makers far from fire-prone areas, delaying violation detection. The current season is intensified by a “super-El Niño” that has deepened drought conditions across the region.
Official Statements & Responses
- Governor Agustiar Sabran listened to the protest but did not answer on the spot; he later indicated he would return after praying.
- Environment agency head Joni Harta warned that Central Kalimantan receives no permits for forest areas and urged the Forestry Ministry to release funds owed under a revenue-sharing reforestation scheme.
- Forestry Ministry public-relations chief Ristianto Pribadi (on Sept 23) described fire management as a joint responsibility of central and regional governments, law-enforcement, businesses and communities.
- President Prabowo Subianto has praised provincial military and police leaders and promised promotions if haze is reduced, signalling a shift from the previous policy of replacing officials when fires spread out of control.
- ASEAN officials indicated the haze issue will be discussed at the upcoming November summit in Manila.
Criticism & Opposition
- Pantau Gambut campaigner Putra Saptian affirmed that provincial governments retain significant authority over environmental approvals, challenging the notion that Jakarta bears sole responsibility.
- Residents in Sumatra and Kalimantan have called for the replacement of police chiefs and military commanders, arguing that early detection and rapid response require local law-enforcement presence.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local inhabitants describe severe health impacts and economic loss. A mechanic in Palangkaraya reported declining income, while a construction worker said he must continue labor despite the choking smoke.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Burned-area estimates differ: Auriga cites 637,000 ha (Jan-Aug), whereas Nusantara Atlas estimates nearly 900,000 ha for the same period. No definitive, government-verified total has been released, leaving the scale of damage uncertain. Additionally, while the Forestry Ministry claims to sanction companies, the effectiveness of these actions in reducing fire incidence remains unverified.
What’s Next
Indonesia will continue dry-ice trials and expand cloud-seeding operations in Central Kalimantan and other haze-affected zones. The government has pledged further promotions for officials who curb fires, and ASEAN member states will address transboundary haze at the November summit.