Smoke crisis in Indonesia sparks student protests
Students demand tougher action against forest and peat fires spreading smoke across Indonesia and neighbouring countries. It is unclear whether thousands of students are involved.
Follow-up to: Fires threaten Indonesia’s oldest cave paintings Friday, 23 October 2026, 10:42
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Students have demonstrated in more than half a dozen Indonesian cities in recent days against the handling of the forest fires. Smoke hangs over several cities and, according to reports, is also spreading to Singapore and Malaysia.
More than 500 demonstrators gathered on Friday outside the office of the governor of Central Kalimantan in Palangkaraya, according to Associated Press. They called on the government to declare the fires a national disaster and to take stronger measures against the smoke and the fires.
According to AP, the fires are mainly burning on Sumatra and Borneo, affecting peatlands and forest. AP reports that many fires are started to clear land for agriculture. The Indonesian government says it is deploying additional resources and personnel, but demonstrators consider the response too slow and insufficiently focused on the causes.
The protests form part of broader discontent with President Prabowo Subianto’s policies. ABC reports that students and civil society organisations are also criticising the economy and other government programmes. The president has been in office for two years this month; according to the same source, his support among some young voters has declined.
The smoke crisis has consequences beyond Indonesia. Singapore and Malaysia are suffering from poor air quality and have criticised the way Jakarta is handling the situation. The Indonesian government has announced additional funding for seven provinces and says that more than 71,000 people are involved in the response. The precise extent of the area burned is uncertain.
The situation is also a public health issue. Smoke from forest and peat fires can worsen respiratory problems, particularly among people with existing conditions. Reports mention large numbers of cases of respiratory infections, but the available sources use different measurement periods and definitions; no clear comparison with previous years can be drawn from them.
The protests have once again made the fires a political issue in South-east Asia. The government insists that it is taking action, while demonstrators and environmental organisations say that structural deforestation, land use and inadequate enforcement are not being addressed sufficiently. Rain may reduce the smoke, but according to the reports consulted, the rainy season is not expected until later.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Students and civil society organisations are demonstrating against the handling of forest and peat fires.
- The smoke is spreading across parts of Indonesia and to neighbouring countries.
- The government says it is deploying additional personnel and resources.
- Demonstrators are calling for a national disaster declaration and tougher measures.
Left
Arguments The left-wing perspective emphasises public health, the protection of vulnerable communities and the responsibility of government and companies for land use. It calls for stricter enforcement against deforestation and free or affordable healthcare for people affected by the smoke.
Values Environmental justice, public health, community protection and corporate oversight.
Consequences Without structural changes in agriculture and peatland management, the fires will continue to return and poorer and local communities will bear the brunt of the consequences.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach calls for rapid firefighting and reliable measurements before a national disaster is declared. It seeks cooperation between Jakarta, the provinces, neighbouring countries and the agricultural sector, with measures that are feasible and legally enforceable.
Values Pragmatism, administrative coordination, proportionality and regional cooperation.
Consequences A combination of emergency aid and long-term policy can limit the smoke, but it takes time and may clash with economic interests in agriculture and land development.
Right
Arguments The right-wing perspective emphasises public order, national responsibility and the importance of economic activity. It may support tough prosecution of arsonists, but warns against assigning general blame to the agricultural sector and against international pressure that limits Indonesia’s policy space.
Values Law enforcement, national sovereignty, economic continuity and individual responsibility.
Consequences A tough approach to illegal arson can produce visible results quickly, but without oversight of permits and land use, the structural cause will remain.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The current protests and the smoke crisis have been independently confirmed by AP and ABC. Figures on health, burned area and historical severity have deliberately not been presented as firmly comparable facts.
- confirmed Protests have been held in more than half a dozen Indonesian cities. — AP reports that protests spread to more than six cities this week. source
- confirmed More than 500 people protested outside the Central Kalimantan governor’s office on Friday. — AP mentions this gathering in Palangkaraya. source
- confirmed The smoke is also spreading to Singapore and Malaysia. — AP and ABC describe regional smoke pollution. source
- confirmed The Indonesian government is deploying more than 71,000 people in the response. — ABC attributes this to the Indonesian Government Communications Agency. source
- confirmed The fires are often started to clear land for agriculture. — AP describes this as a major cause, without stating that it applies to every fire. source
- confirmed The rainy season is expected later. — ABC reports that, according to forecasts, rain will arrive later in the season. source
Editor's note
The student protests, smoke pollution and regional consequences have been confirmed. The scale of the fires, health data and causes vary between sources; they have therefore been described cautiously and with attribution.Sources
The story so far
- Friday, 23 October 2026, 10:42 Fires threaten Indonesia’s oldest cave paintings
- Saturday, 24 October 2026, 12:44 Smoke crisis in Indonesia sparks student protests (this article)