NGABANG, thekabarnews.com—The Landak administration in West Kalimantan has temporarily suspended outdoor morning assemblies for civil servants. This decision comes as wildfire smoke raises health concerns across the region.

Landak Regent Karolin Margret Natasa announced the measure in Ngabang on Thursday, September 24.

Government employees will instead hold collective prayers inside their respective offices. This will reduce their exposure to polluted outdoor air while firefighting operations continue.

“The health of civil servants and all Landak residents is our highest priority,” Karolin said.

“As air conditions have deteriorated because of the haze, I have instructed every agency to suspend outdoor morning assemblies and replace them with collective prayers indoors.”

Regional government agencies implemented the instruction on Thursday morning. Participating offices included the Landak Archives and Library Agency, the Environment Agency and the Education Agency.

Karolin said the prayers aimed to express solidarity with affected residents and seek relief from the prolonged dry conditions. The measure does not replace firefighting or medical intervention, she added.

“The haze does not only affect breathing. It also disrupts economic and social activity,” she said. “We will continue physical efforts, such as firefighting, while also praying to God for rain.”

The Landak administration has instructed its health agency and community health centers (puskesmas) to prepare health posts and oxygen supplies.

Karolin said respiratory complaints had begun to increase. However, the regency had not published an updated case total for late September.

Provincial administration data recorded 153 acute respiratory infection cases in Landak as of September 1. This was the second-highest figure among West Kalimantan’s regencies and cities at that time.

The province recorded 1,053 cases overall. Officials advised residents to wear masks and reduce unnecessary exposure to polluted air.

“We have placed the Health Agency and puskesmas on 24-hour alert by establishing health posts and preparing oxygen supplies because respiratory cases have begun to rise,” Karolin said.

She asked civil servants to limit outdoor activity and set an example by following health guidance.

The broader fire situation remained serious. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded 1,357 high-confidence hotspots across West Kalimantan during the 10 days ending September 21.

BMKG said that relatively dry atmospheric conditions continued to support fire and haze risks in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The West Kalimantan administration also sent disaster-response supplies to Landak on September 18. The assistance formed part of a wider distribution to four haze-affected regencies.

Karolin urged residents to protect one another while emergency teams worked to contain the fires.

“Let us remain strong and look after each other’s health,” she said. “We will continue praying for the haze to clear so that Landak’s skies can turn blue again.”