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In Pontianak, residents take the smoke to court
People breathing the smoke also want answers about prevention.
In West Kalimantan on Indonesia’s island of Borneo, forest and peatland fires send pollution into homes. On 7 October, a collective action over national and local authorities’ response reaches its first hearing in Pontianak. Responsibility remains contested.
Sisilius Rami takes a day off work to attend the 7 October hearing in Pontianak. He tells ABC of wearing a mask daily and stinging eyes outside. The Nafas Kalbar claimants seek, among other measures, free healthcare for vulnerable groups and stronger fire prevention.[1]
Two public responses emerge. After the hearing, lawyer Martinus Sudarno tells Inside Pontianak that central-government representatives were absent. In Pontianak Post, provincial official Adi Yani describes preparations to respond: gathering evidence and coordinating with local administrations. The alleged negligence has not been adjudicated.[2][3]
The national government tells ABC it respects the action and will respond through the proceedings. It also describes ground and aerial firefighting. Residents’ request has an immediate purpose alongside the case: getting healthcare while the court examines what should have been done.[1]
How we reached this judgment
What changed
A wildfire-response lawsuit creates a confrontation of evidence, not yet a finding of responsibility.
Why it matters
Connect prevention, care and the ability to challenge.
Where views differ
Residents and claimants
- What it sees
- Breathing and being heard.
- What it wants
- Secure scrutiny of the response.
- What it omits
- Allegations still require adversarial examination.
Defendant authorities
- What it sees
- Explaining interventions.
- What it wants
- Present a response.
- What it omits
- Statements do not establish effectiveness.
The provisional judgment
The hearing creates an accountability opening without settling responsibility or health protection.
Movement: New thread
The receipts
The records we consulted and what they establish. Sources can have interests of their own.
- Indonesian government faces Kalimantan wildfires lawsuit as haze blankets regionAustralian Broadcasting Corporation · 2026-10-08 · en
Residents and government present their positions on the fires.
- Sidang Class Action Karhutla Kalbar: Presiden Jadi Tergugat Pertama!Inside Pontianak · 2026-10-07 · id
Local reporting covers the hearing and claimants’ criticism.
- Pemprov Kalbar Siapkan Data Penanganan Karhutla untuk Hadapi Gugatan Tim Nafas KalbarPontianak Post / Jawa Pos Group · 2026-10-07 · id
The provincial official says response and evidence are being prepared.