The wRap Indonesia: Haze emergency, Abbott out

JAKARTA, Indonesia – From an Indonesian province declaring a state of emergency due to the haze, to Uber accusing officials of intimidation in Jakarta, here is the top news to start your day.

1. Haze emergency

Indonesia on Monday, September 14, declared a state of emergency in a province choked with thick haze from forest fires, as fears mounted that worsening air quality could affect the upcoming Grand Prix in neighboring Singapore.

The emergency announcement in Riau province on Sumatra island came as aircraft were deployed to water-bomb the raging blazes and conduct “cloud-seeding”, which involves chemically inducing rain. Read more.

2. 10 Indonesians dead in Mecca

Ten Indonesian citizens are confirmed dead in the Grand Mosque tragedy, which left 107 people dead, officials of the Hajj Innfo Center, Religion Ministry said Monday, September 14.

On Sunday, the death toll was at 7, but 3 more Indonesian bodies were identified. 42 other Indonesians are injured. Read more.

3. Uber cries foul

Thirty Uber cars have been seized in the Indonesian capital Jakarta in recent months, a transport official said Monday, September 14 prompting the controversial ride-hailing app to accuse authorities of “unreasonable intimidation”.

The news came after the city of Bandung, on the main island of Java, last week banned Uber, and as the Silicon Valley company faces challenges worldwide from regulators concerned about its business model and traditional taxi drivers angered at what they see as a threat. Read more.

4. Australian PM Abbott out

Australian conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbott was dramatically ousted Monday, September 14, in a snap party vote forced by challenger Malcolm Turnbull, a millionaire former banker who will become the nation’s new leader.

Abbott, who came to power in a decisive general election victory in 2013, was forced into a leadership ballot among his Liberal Party colleagues after Turnbull said the coalition government faced defeat without change at the top. Read more.

5. Defense of Trump visit

Deputy Speaker of the House Fadli Zon finally speaks up on the Donald Trump controversy.

Zon, during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, September 14, explained that the meeting with Trump was not the only agenda of the House of Representatives during their US visit. The controversy began when Zon was spotted at a press conference by media mogul and US presidential candidate Donald Trump, together with Speaker of the House Setya Novanto. Read more.