Indonesia’s government sued over alleged gross negligence in handling forest fires

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

Indonesia Sued for ‘Gross Negligence’ Over Southeast Asia Haze Crisis, with President Named as Defendant

A coalition of Indigenous groups and civil society organisations in Borneo has filed a landmark class-action lawsuit against the Indonesian government, accusing it of gross negligence in failing to prevent and contain forest fires that triggered the 2026 Southeast Asia haze crisis, forced school closures in Malaysia, and worsened respiratory illnesses. The lawsuit, filed in Pontianak, names 10 defendants, including President Prabowo Subianto, and demands comprehensive restitution, including healthcare costs for affected communities.

The case, which marks the first legal challenge of its kind against Indonesia’s handling of annual fires, alleges that the government’s repeated failures to curb slash-and-burn practices—despite prior pledges to enforce stricter measures—have exacerbated the problem. The fires, worsened by extreme drought linked to El Niño, led to school closures in Johor, Malaysia, and severe air pollution across the region.

The trial, originally scheduled for October 7, was postponed to October 21 after government representatives failed to appear, citing poor visibility due to haze as a possible reason.

Plaintiffs’ lawyer Glorio Sanen described the lawsuit as a necessary step to address the systematic annual burning of forests, primarily for palm oil plantations. “This is not just about one season—it’s about a pattern of inaction,” Sanen said, adding that the government’s delays in responding to the crisis have had devastating public health consequences.

Yakobus Kumis, a Dayak plaintiff, criticised the government’s absence, stating: “It seems the government wants to teach the people that breaking the law is acceptable.”

The lawsuit follows years of criticism from neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, over Indonesia’s inability to control fires despite international agreements and domestic laws. The haze crisis has repeatedly disrupted regional trade, tourism, and public health, with Malaysia reporting spikes in respiratory illnesses and economic losses from disrupted education and business activities.

The next court hearing is set for October 21, with plaintiffs insisting on accountability for what they call a decades-long failure to protect the environment and public welfare.

Indonesia’s response to the lawsuit remains unclear, but the legal action underscores growing regional frustration over the government’s handling of transboundary pollution—a issue that could escalate into further diplomatic and economic tensions. The case also raises questions about whether legal pressure will force Indonesia to adopt stricter enforcement of its forest moratoriums and anti-burning policies.