‘How is it possible?’: Students in Kalimantan protest against Indonesian haze

Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of Borneo, where forest and peatland fires can create thick smoke. Students protested because haze threatens clean air, health, education, and normal daily activities. The supplied headlines identify the protest but do not give its exact date, size, or list of demands.

The wider crisis involved Indonesian wildfires and fire hotspots. Other headlines report that Indonesia named 11 corporations as suspects in forest-fire cases. They also report government action, including possible licence revocations for foreign firms linked to fires. These details suggest that the protest was connected to concerns about both pollution and accountability.

The haze problem remained active but changing. A Reuters headline said hotspots had eased, although rain was still insufficient. That means conditions had improved in some areas, but the danger had not ended. Continued investigation, enforcement, and fire prevention would be needed to protect communities in Kalimantan and elsewhere.

Haze is a layer of polluted air containing smoke, gases, and very small particles. It can reduce visibility and make breathing uncomfortable or dangerous. The supplied headlines refer to Indonesian haze but do not define it or describe its chemistry. The explanation here uses established environmental knowledge.

Forest fires burn trees, leaves, and undergrowth. Peat fires are especially smoky because peat is partly decomposed plant material stored in thick, carbon-rich layers. When it burns, it can release smoke for long periods. Wind then carries the pollution away from the original fire. Large numbers of fires can create a broad haze episode.

The headlines report that Indonesia’s fire hotspots had eased, but rain was still insufficient. That indicates smoke-producing fires remained a concern even after conditions improved. Reducing haze requires stopping fires, protecting forests and peatlands, and investigating those responsible. It also requires monitoring air quality and public health during severe episodes.

Indonesia’s fires were not presented as one isolated incident. The supplied headlines mention Indonesian haze, wildfires, fire hotspots, and forest-fire cases involving corporations. That wording indicates a broad national problem, although the source provided here does not state the number of fires, burned hectares, provinces affected, or people exposed.

The clearest figure is 11 corporations. An ANTARA headline says Indonesia named 11 corporations as suspects in forest-fire cases. Other headlines mention foreign firms linked to forest fires and possible licence revocations. These reports point to investigations into corporate involvement, but they do not establish that every fire was caused by a company.

A Reuters headline reports that Indonesia’s fire hotspots had eased, while rain remained insufficient. The situation was therefore improving in some places but still unresolved. The next important measures would be transparent investigations, legal action where evidence supports it, and better prevention. No larger fire total can be stated from the supplied headlines.

Fires in Indonesia can create cross-border haze because smoke is transported by wind. Fine particles can remain suspended in the air and move far from the fire zone. During dry weather, repeated fires produce enough pollution for haze to spread across national boundaries. The supplied headlines mention Indonesian haze and criticism from other countries, but they do not describe wind direction or affected nations.

The mechanism is straightforward. Forest and peatland fires release smoke and fine particles. Air currents then carry those pollutants beyond Indonesia. Neighboring populations may experience poorer visibility and unhealthy air even though the fires are elsewhere. A large cluster of fires increases the chance of regional impacts.

The headlines show that the issue had diplomatic as well as environmental consequences. Prabowo was reported to have berated countries that “insult” Indonesia over wildfires. Indonesia also considered revoking licences of foreign firms linked to fires. Regional cooperation, accurate monitoring, and effective domestic enforcement would help reduce future cross-border haze.

Severe haze fills the air with smoke and fine particles. People may suffer coughing, irritated eyes, breathing difficulty, or worsening of existing heart and lung conditions. Visibility can also fall, making travel less safe. The supplied headlines do not provide medical figures or describe particular school and transport closures, so these consequences come from established public-health knowledge.

When air quality becomes dangerous, schools may suspend classes or keep children indoors. Airports, roads, and waterways can face delays or cancellations because pilots, drivers, and crews need adequate visibility. Families may avoid outdoor work and activities. Businesses can lose working time, while hospitals may see more patients with respiratory complaints.

The Indonesian headlines show that haze had become serious enough to prompt student protests. They also report that hotspots eased, although rain was still insufficient. This suggests daily life could remain disrupted even as conditions improved. Clear air-quality warnings, protective health advice, and rapid firefighting are important while smoke persists.

No single group can solve Indonesia’s fire problem alone. Local communities can report smoke, avoid unsafe burning, and help protect nearby land. Companies must prevent fires on land they control and comply with environmental rules. The government sets those rules, coordinates firefighting, investigates causes, and enforces penalties. The supplied headlines focus most directly on government and corporate action.

The clearest example is Indonesia naming 11 corporations as suspects in forest-fire cases. Another headline says Indonesia planned to revoke licences of foreign firms linked to forest fires. Those steps show the government using investigation and regulation to pursue possible corporate responsibility. Being named a suspect is not the same as being found guilty.

The government’s role remains especially important because fires can spread across property boundaries and create regional haze. Prabowo’s reported criticism of other countries shows the issue also has diplomatic consequences. Strong enforcement, public reporting, responsible land management, and community cooperation would all be needed to prevent repeat fires.

Forests and peatlands are sometimes cleared to make space for agriculture, plantations, roads, or other development. Burning can appear cheaper and faster than mechanical clearing, but it can escape control and create severe smoke. The supplied headlines mention forest fires and corporations, yet they do not state which land uses or motives caused these fires.

Peat is made from partly decomposed plant material accumulated in wet ground. When it dries, it can ignite and burn below the surface. Rain may wet the top layer without reaching every underground hotspot. Wind and dry conditions can then help the fire continue or reignite. This hidden burning helps explain why firefighting can remain difficult.

A Reuters headline reports that fire hotspots had eased, but rain was still not enough. That detail fits a situation where reduced hotspots do not necessarily mean the danger is over. Preventing drainage and burning, detecting underground fires, and maintaining wet conditions are important long-term strategies. Investigating suspected corporations is also part of accountability.