Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) has urged the Indonesian government to take immediate action to protect communities facing worsening air pollution from forest and land fires and shortages of fuel, warning that the twin crises threaten public health, safety and livelihoods. In a statement issued on Oct. 17, 2026, IESR chief executive Fabby Tumiwa expressed solidarity with residents exposed to smoke, as well as drivers, fishers, farmers and small businesses struggling to obtain fuel and maintain their incomes. The organization highlighted the risks facing children, older people, pregnant women and those with respiratory illnesses, alongside firefighters and volunteers working on the front lines of fire suppression. IESR called on President Prabowo Subianto’s administration to declare emergency response status in affected areas and mobilize available resources for ground and aerial firefighting without waiting for conditions to deteriorate further. It also urged the government to strengthen public health protection by distributing N95 masks free of charge, establishing clean-air shelters, providing free health services and publishing air-quality data regularly. On law enforcement, IESR called for firm action against those responsible for land burning, including companies operating under land concessions. The organization urged authorities to revoke permits and pursue legal proceedings consistently, regardless of the parties involved. The group also called on the government and state-owned energy company Pertamina to address fuel shortages by increasing allocations of subsidized and assigned fuel, disclosing stock levels and the causes of supply disruptions, and prioritizing distribution to the hardest-hit areas. IESR further urged authorities to crack down on fuel hoarding and distribution abuses while providing emergency social assistance to affected workers and small businesses. The organization said the government should publicly disclose its response plan, deadlines and the officials responsible for implementation, arguing that residents needed clear information and concrete action. Beyond the immediate crisis, IESR said the situation exposed structural vulnerabilities linked to Indonesia’s reliance on imported fuel and weaknesses in land governance. It urged the government to accelerate transport electrification, renewable energy development and preventive measures to address forest and land fires at their source once the emergency had been contained. IESR said it was ready to support the response through data, analysis and policy recommendations.
