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A group of civil society organisations in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan has now taken the country’s government to court over its handling of wildfires that have sent thick haze across the region, including into Malaysia and Singapore.
As reported by ABC News, proceedings were filed in Pontianak on 7 October, with the plaintiffs alleging that authorities failed to take adequate measures to prevent and manage the recurring forest fires and haze, which they argue are a predictable seasonal issue.
Plaintiffs say the haze was predictable
The peatland fires in West Kalimantan began in July, with more than 200 fire hotspots reportedly still burning as of this week.
Glorio Sanen, legal coordinator for civil society group Nafas Kalbar, said the plaintiffs found it strange that preparations were seemingly insufficient despite El Niño and prolonged dry conditions being predicted before the dry season.
It was reported that the group is asking the government to declare the fires a national emergency, strengthen fire prevention measures, provide free healthcare for vulnerable communities and take action against those responsible.
Residents say the smoke has become an everyday health problem, with one plaintiff describing having to wear a mask whenever he goes outside because of the stinging smoke.
Sisilius Rami, the only independent plaintiff in the group, said his eyes would sting from the smoke every time he went outside and had to wear masks every day.
“Clean and fresh air was nowhere to be found … we still cannot see blue skies or bright clouds.”
Indonesia’s Health Ministry has recorded at least 175,000 respiratory infection cases linked to the fires since August, according to ABC News.
The fires are becoming a regional concern
Millions of people in neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore have also been affected by the smoke, making Indonesia’s forest and peatland fires a regional problem rather than something confined to one country and there are concerns about what is fuelling the fires in the first place.
Environmental groups say damaged and dried-out peatlands can allow fires to spread more easily, while land clearing for agriculture and palm oil plantations has also been linked to fires.
Indonesian authorities have already identified 196 people suspected of starting forest fires and investigated 96 companies over fires that reportedly burned more than 25,000 hectares. Twenty-six corporations have also faced administrative sanctions.
The government says firefighting operations involving more than 69,000 personnel are continuing across priority provinces.
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The post Indonesian Government Sued Over Kalimantan Wildfires As Haze Hits Malaysia & Singapore appeared first on WORLD OF BUZZ.
