Indonesians urge Singapore, Malaysia to sue Jakarta as haze blankets region
Software engineer Kristaen Albert and others urge foreign intervention as air quality exceeds hazardous levels in Central Kalimantan.
Quick Look
Residents in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, are urging foreign governments to pressure Jakarta over its slow response to devastating wildfires that have caused hazardous air quality.
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Why It Matters
Wildfires in Central Kalimantan have caused severe haze and hazardous air quality.
Every time Kristaen Albert returns home, he reaches for one of the dozen cans of oxygen on a table by the entrance of his house in Central Kalimantan.
The air in his neighbourhood has turned dusty amber, with air quality far exceeding hazardous levels. “My breathing is noticeably heavier whenever I step outside. It’s hard to concentrate and stay focused, and it is really affecting my work,” Albert, a 31-year-old software engineer, told This Week in Asia. “Living in this haze is awful.”
“The government’s response to these devastating wildfires has been incredibly slow,” he said. “To put it bluntly, we are angry.”
Albert is among many Indonesians who are urging foreign governments on social media, including those of neighbouring countries affected by the haze, to take action against Jakarta over its handling of the fires.
Open Questions
- Will foreign governments respond to the social media appeals?
- What specific actions is Jakarta taking to combat the wildfires?
