Hundreds of students protest Indonesian haze

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 25, 2026

Hundreds of students protested in Palangkaraya to demand stronger government action and a national emergency declaration in response to the worsening wildfires and hazardous haze affecting Central Kalimantan. The fires have destroyed millions of hectares and caused regional health crises and diplomatic tensions, intensifying public pressure on authorities to address the escalating environmental disaster.

Hundreds of students gathered in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, on Friday to protest the ongoing wildfire crisis that has engulfed their city and surrounding regions in hazardous haze. Wearing surgical masks and holding banners, the demonstrators called on the government to take stronger action, including declaring a national emergency to unlock additional resources.

The protest took place under an orange sky with severely reduced visibility caused by thick smoke from wildfires burning on the island of Borneo. One banner posted outside the Central Kalimantan governor’s office criticized local officials for perceived inaction despite the escalating crisis. The students also sang the patriotic song Indonesia Pusaka as part of their demonstration.

Protest leader Yuyun Sanjaya urged the provincial government to officially acknowledge its inability to control the fires so that the disaster could be formally recognized at the national level. “How is it possible that such thick, dense smoke is being inhaled by helpless elderly people and newborn infants, and the government simply lets it happen?” Sanjaya said.

The fires have destroyed more than 1.9 million hectares of land in Indonesia through September, according to the deforestation monitoring group Nusantara Atlas, though the government has neither confirmed nor denied this figure. The resulting haze has affected hundreds of thousands of Indonesians, causing widespread illness, and has spread to neighboring countries including Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor.

The regional environmental emergency has also triggered diplomatic tensions with neighboring governments, with Indonesia facing external pressure to address the air pollution. Domestically, frustration has mounted as several protests have occurred in recent weeks. Just a day before the student demonstration in Palangkaraya, schoolchildren on Java island held prayers for rain, hoping it would help extinguish fires devastating multiple districts and protected areas.

During Friday’s protest, the students engaged in minor confrontations with police but there were no reports of injuries or arrests. As evening approached, the group collected their debris and dispersed peacefully. The ongoing wildfire crisis continues to disrupt daily life and pose serious health risks across Indonesia, highlighting growing demands for more robust governmental interventions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.