Indonesia accused of ‘gross negligence’ in wildfires lawsuit as haze tests region
Summary
The Indonesian government faces a lawsuit accusing it of serious negligence in handling wildfires that caused toxic haze across Southeast Asia. Indigenous and civil groups want the government to pay for healthcare costs and cleanup after the fires worsened this year due to dry weather caused by El Niño.Key Facts
- The lawsuit was filed in West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, and names President Prabowo Subianto and several officials as defendants.
- The fires produce thick haze that affected Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, leading to school closures and health problems.
- The fires are often started on purpose to clear land cheaply for palm oil plantations.
- Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer and has been criticized for not controlling these “slash and burn” fires.
- This year’s fires were worse due to El Niño causing very dry weather.
- Defendants did not attend the first court hearing, which was delayed until October 21.
- Plaintiffs want the crisis to be declared a national disaster and for the government to cover medical costs of those affected.
- A similar lawsuit filed last year was dismissed by a court in South Sumatra.
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