Samarinda:Jakarta Indonesia has reported 333,470 cases of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) attributed to forest and land fires in various regions, as confirmed by the Health Ministry. The ministry highlighted the ongoing health crisis on Thursday, noting the persistent high daily case numbers, with 4,522 new cases being documented.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the Health Ministry's director of environmental health, Then Suyanti, stated that air quality had deteriorated to hazardous levels in several regions, especially in the provinces of Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan, which are prioritized for fire management. The smoke from wildfires, containing harmful substances like PM2.5, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, poses significant health risks, leading to conditions such as ARIs, asthma, and other respiratory and systemic health issues.

President Prabowo Subianto addressed the issue of recurring forest and land fires, suggesting that foreign-backed companies could be responsible. He warned that these companies might lose their operating permits if found culpable, with revoked concessions potentially being reassigned to younger Indonesians. He emphasized that many companies have repeatedly violated regulations, with some committing offenses as many as 19 times.

In Samarinda, the capital of East Kalimantan, thousands of students and residents have protested, urging the government to declare the forest and land fires a national disaster. The ongoing fires are exacerbated by the unusually prolonged dry season and the effects of El Nino, which have created conditions conducive to wildfires.