One Demand Across Multiple Cities
A wave of student demonstrations swept several Indonesian cities on Tuesday (20/10/2026). Despite rallying in different locations, the protesters voiced a single primary demand: that the government immediately declare forest and land fires (karhutla - kebakaran hutan dan lahan) a national disaster.
In Makassar, demonstrators affiliated with the Democratic People's Committee (Komrad - Komite Rakyat Demokratik) held an action marking two years of the Prabowo-Gibran administration around the Flyover area on AP Pettarani Street. Protesters urged the declaration of national disaster status to enable broader involvement in firefighting efforts, including international assistance.
Komrad Coordinator Muhammad Nur Hidayat underscored that this demand was clearly communicated from Makassar. 'Immediately declare that Indonesia is in a humanitarian emergency and national disaster. This must be declared a national disaster so everyone can work together to help,' he stated. The demonstration temporarily blocked part of the road, causing traffic congestion around the flyover.
From Tugu Tani to Banyumas
In Jakarta, protesters from the Aware Committee (Komite Sadar - Seruan Kedaulatan Rakyat) gathered around Tugu Tani, Central Jakarta. They called on the government to declare karhutla a national disaster while demanding firm action against corporations allegedly responsible for the environmental damage.
Rizki Maulana, a representative from the Student Executive Board (BEM - Badan Eksekutif Mahasiswa) of IPB University, stated that the forest fires in Kalimantan not only devastate Indonesia's environment but also threaten global ecological balance. 'Kalimantan's forests do not belong solely to Indonesia, but are the lungs of the Earth,' Rizki said at the protest site.
In Banyumas, students urged local authorities to publicly support declaring karhutla a national disaster in solidarity with the residents of Kalimantan. They also demanded an evaluation of several government programs deemed likely to create new problems.
Central Kalimantan Governor Meets Protesters
PALANGKA RAYA — Hundreds of students from various organizations staged a peaceful rally in front of the Central Kalimantan (Kalteng - Kalimantan Tengah) Governor's Office. They urged the government to declare karhutla a national disaster following months of ongoing fires and the hazardous haze threatening public health.
Head of the Palangka Raya University Student Executive Board (BEM), Naomi Artika Simamora, voiced sharp criticism during her address, characterizing the crisis as a 'premeditated murder agenda'—a critique highlighting her grave concern for citizen safety if containment remains suboptimal.
During the demonstration, Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran met the students directly and sat before participants as they presented their demands. Students also brought a mock corpse as a symbol of deep concern over the life-threatening risks posed by karhutla.
Expert Voice: Declare National Disaster, Reallocate MBG Budget
Political communications analyst Emrus Sihombing urged President Prabowo Subianto to declare karhutla a national disaster. He argued that the official status is crucial to secure a more dedicated response, including funding and meeting the needs of impacted communities.
Emrus went further by recommending a temporary suspension of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG - Makan Bergizi Gratis) program budget, proposing that funds be redirected toward wildfire containment and environmental rehabilitation. 'In my view, to take an even more quote-unquote radically positive step, halt (MBG) and use it for recovery,' he noted.
Meanwhile, the presidential palace through the Indonesian Communication Agency (Bakom - Badan Komunikasi) RI stated that the government appreciates the students' aspirations and remains open to dialogue. This widespread call for a national disaster status represents the most substantial political pressure surrounding the management of karhutla throughout this year's crisis.
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