Key facts
- Wildfires in Indonesian Borneo and Sumatra have intensified, causing severe haze in Malaysia and Singapore.
- A 'super' El Niño is exacerbating the blazes, with dry conditions expected to continue.
- Thousands of people have experienced respiratory issues, leading to a spike in emergency room visits.
- Indonesian authorities have ordered the revocation of business permits for companies suspected of illegal land clearing.
- 72 people have been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting fires for plantations.
- The fires are burning across peatland ecosystems, making them difficult to control and contributing to thick smoke.
Wildfires are intensifying across Indonesia, particularly in Borneo and Sumatra, creating a severe haze that is impacting air quality in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. Residents in Indonesian Borneo describe the air as feeling like 'smoking a cigarette,' with visibility reduced to mere metres. Health data shows a significant spike in emergency room visits for respiratory symptoms in West Kalimantan since July. Children continue to attend school, though some classes have been suspended, and parents are urging a switch to online learning due to the unhealthy air. The fires are often linked to 'slash and burn' techniques used for palm oil plantations, a key Indonesian export. Authorities attribute this year's severity to a 'super' El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to peak in September and prolong the dry season. Experts warn the worst may be yet to come, with rains unlikely before November. The haze has become a regional concern, with Malaysia and Brunei planning to discuss it at ASEAN. Kuala Lumpur was recently named the world's most polluted city by IQAir, followed by Jakarta. In response, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered the revocation of business permits for companies suspected of directing land clearing and police have arrested 72 individuals. This situation echoes the devastating fires of 2015, another El Niño year, which burned over 6 million acres and caused similar trans-boundary haze. President Subianto has pledged government resources, including helicopters and water pumps, to combat the fires. However, some citizens express frustration over perceived government inaction against companies allegedly involved. Experts highlight that Indonesia's peatland ecosystems, crucial for fire resilience, are being compromised by drainage networks for plantations, making fires harder to control and more smoke-producing. Professor Justin Sentian emphasizes the need for true prevention by halting peatland conversion and restoring degraded areas.