Indonesia accused of ‘gross negligence’ in wildfires lawsuit as haze tests region
NGOs in Indonesian Borneo file class action lawsuit calling for government to better manage annual fires and
TL;DR
- A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Indonesian government for its alleged "gross negligence" in handling wildfires.
- The lawsuit, filed by indigenous and civil society groups in Borneo, names President Prabowo Subianto and others as defendants.
- Plaintiffs seek recovery and rehabilitation measures, including healthcare cost coverage for residents affected by the toxic haze.
- The opening court hearing in Pontianak was adjourned until October 21 due to the defendants' absence.
- Wildfires in Indonesia, often used for land clearing for palm oil, are a recurring issue exacerbated this year by an intense El Niño.
- The resulting transboundary haze has affected neighboring countries like Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and the Philippines, leading to school closures.
- A similar lawsuit filed last year in South Sumatra was dismissed.