Indonesia Battles Haze, Smog, Graft, Fuel Queues, Prison Luxury
What it means
Indonesia is fighting toxic smog in Palangka Raya and haze from fires that burned almost 900,000 hectares since January, while detaining five in a graft probe and facing seven-hour fuel queues in Bali.
Why it matters
The ISPU index in Palangka Raya exceeded 1,200, four times the hazardous level of 300, choking millions; the antigraft commission detained the disaster-management chief's brother over emergency-response funds; and luxury prison cells reignited concerns about preferential treatment for wealthy convicts across Southeast Asia.
How it affects you
In Bali, fuel queues stretch up to seven hours, with 57.9 million litres of petrol scheduled to arrive; in Palangka Raya, air pollution is four times the hazardous level, and fires have burned almost 900,000 hectares since January.
