PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com– West Kalimantan students confronted Governor Ria Norsan near Supadio International Airport on Thursday, September 3, demanding stronger action against forest and land fires (karhutla) as dense smoke disrupted flights and prevented Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni from landing.

The students had gathered near the airport to coincide with the minister’s scheduled visit. They approached Norsan after the minister’s aircraft abandoned its landing because of poor visibility.

The protest involved students affiliated with the All-Indonesia Student Executive Councils (BEM SI) and the West Kalimantan Regional Students Forum (FOMDA). Organizers had planned to deliver their demands directly to Raja Juli.

The students urged the central government to consider declaring the fires and haze affecting Kalimantan and Sumatra a national disaster.

They also demanded clearer mitigation measures and investigations into companies suspected of involvement in land burning.

Authorities would still need evidence before imposing sanctions or attributing responsibility to any company.

Raja Juli had planned to inspect fire-affected areas in Limbung and Rasau Jaya, Kubu Raya regency. His itinerary also included a coordination meeting with agencies managing the emergency.

However, the aircraft carrying him returned without landing at Supadio Airport. West Kalimantan Deputy Governor Krisantus Kurniawan said visibility had fallen to about 100 meters.

“He cancelled his arrival here because of the haze, and visibility was only about 100 meters. Therefore, the aircraft did not attempt to land,” Krisantus said, according to Antara.

Airport operations officials separately reported visibility of about 200 meters during part of the disruption. The difference likely reflects changing conditions or measurements taken at different times. At least one inbound aircraft returned to Jakarta, while passengers faced delays and uncertainty.

The haze had thrown a spanner in the works, as the failed landing demonstrated. Raja Juli had been scheduled to observe ground operations conducted by Manggala Agni fire crews and meet officials responsible for the response.

Student organizers said the government must provide a measurable strategy for suppressing existing fires and preventing new ones.

Their demands included an investigation into companies suspected of burning land and appropriate sanctions against parties proven to have violated the law.

They also sought a direct dialogue with the forestry minister. Before the visit was disrupted, organizers expected about 30 people to join the demonstration near the Supadio Airport roundabout.

The protest came as West Kalimantan remained one of six provinces prioritized in the national wildfire response.

BNPB reported that 28,680.47 hectares had burned in the province by August 9, the largest recorded area among the six priority provinces at that time.

Norsan had previously called for tighter patrols and firm enforcement against deliberate land burning. He also urged residents to avoid using fire to clear land during the prolonged dry period.

“We must all work together to protect West Kalimantan. The public must become the front line in preventing forest and land fires,” Norsan said.

The students’ action placed additional pressure on provincial and central authorities to convert emergency declarations into visible results.

Their demands now require a formal government response, while investigators must base any enforcement against individuals or companies on verified evidence.