JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Six university students from Central and South Kalimantan traveled to Jakarta to demand that Indonesia’s government declare the prolonged forest and land fires (karhutla) in Kalimantan a national disaster.

The delegation joined the #IndonesiaSadar demonstration at the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The protest, organized by the Save the People’s Sovereignty Committee (SADAR), coincided with the 98th anniversary of Youth Pledge Day.

The students said three representatives came from Central Kalimantan and three from South Kalimantan. They sought to bring the experiences of smoke-affected communities directly to the national government after holding repeated demonstrations in their respective provinces.

“For more than four months, we, the people of Kalimantan, have been breathing toxic air,” said Naomi Artika Simamora, a representative of the Kalimantan Student Alliance.

Naomi argued that regional authorities had not produced an effective response or persuaded the central government to elevate the disaster designation. Her comments reflected the alliance’s assessment.

Central and South Kalimantan authorities have separately reported deploying personnel, equipment and health assistance to address the fires.

Naomi said more than 100,000 people in Central Kalimantan had suffered acute respiratory infections (ISPA). However, available health figures use different reporting periods and definitions.

A Health Ministry data compilation reported 26,740 ISPA cases in Central Kalimantan’s fire-affected areas through Oct. 20. Earlier provincial reporting cited approximately 77,000 cases recorded since the beginning of 2026.

The figures cannot be directly compared because one measures cases in selected fire-affected areas while the other covers a longer period and potentially a broader population.

Nationally, the Health Ministry recorded 314,124 ISPA cases across seven fire-affected provinces between Aug. 20 and Oct. 20. Children under five accounted for 70,890 cases. The ministry has strengthened health services and distributed an additional 137,000 N95 masks in Palangka Raya, according to its Oct. 23 field update.

Smoke exposure increases the risk of respiratory illness, although an ISPA diagnosis does not by itself establish that smoke caused an individual case. Other infections and environmental factors can produce similar symptoms.

Before traveling to Jakarta, students and civil society groups had staged four rounds of demonstrations under the Central Kalimantan Fights Alliance. Their fourth rally, held outside the governor’s office on Oct. 23, presented nine demands concerning fire mitigation, corporate accountability and health services.

The alliance also demanded greater transparency regarding burned land within corporate concessions. It called for improved access to fuel, electricity and clean water. Local reports said the protesters had not obtained the written commitment they sought from the governor during the fourth demonstration.

Central Kalimantan’s provincial administration previously met the alliance in September and said equipment and personnel were available, while implementation and logistical coordination needed further improvement. The administration reported that 10,700 government personnel and volunteers were ready for deployment.

The scale of the emergency is substantial. BNPB reported more than 142,000 satellite-detected hotspots and about 3,800 fire incidents in Central Kalimantan between Jan. 1 and Sept. 19. According to BNPB, satellite analysis by the Forestry Ministry estimated that 7,634 hectares had burned during that period.

Under Indonesia’s Disaster Management Law, national status is determined using indicators that include casualties, property losses, infrastructure damage, the affected area and socioeconomic effects. The students’ demand therefore requires a formal government assessment rather than an automatic declaration.

By appearing in Jakarta, the six students sought to move the Kalimantan smoke crisis into the national political debate. Their campaign will ultimately be measured by whether it produces clearer health protection, transparent fire data and enforceable action against parties proven responsible for burning land.