Key facts
- Indonesia's government has resisted declaring widespread forest and land fires a national disaster.
- Haze from the fires is affecting millions in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
- Critics suggest the government fears financial implications and increased scrutiny from a national disaster declaration.
Indonesia's government has resisted calls to declare widespread forest and land fires a national disaster, despite worsening health impacts and regional haze. Critics suggest the reluctance may be due to concerns about redirecting funds and increased scrutiny over the administration's disaster management. The fires have scorched large tracts across Borneo and Sumatra, with smoke drifting across the region, affecting millions in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Greenpeace and the Indonesian Forum for the Environment have criticized the government's response and its failure to prevent the fires, despite longstanding warnings about drought linked to El Niño.