Students Demand National Emergency As Indonesia Battles Severe Haze
What Happened
Thousands of students have protested across Indonesia over the government’s response to toxic haze from forest and peatland fires. More than 500 demonstrators gathered in Palangkaraya on October 23, while protests have spread to more than half a dozen cities. The pollution has spread beyond Indonesia to neighbouring countries including Malaysia and Singapore. Indonesia’s Health Ministry says more than 333,000 people across seven provinces have suffered acute respiratory illnesses since mid-August.
Key Takeaways
Protesters are demanding stronger action and calling on President Prabowo Subianto to declare a national disaster emergency as the wildfire-driven haze becomes a major regional health crisis.