Malaysia shuts schools in Kuala Lumpur and four states as Indonesian haze chokes region
Malaysia has ordered schools closed in Kuala Lumpur and several parts of the country after thick haze from Indonesian forest fires pushed air pollution to unhealthy levels. The Malaysia haze school closures affect four states and both federal territories on Friday.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced the closures late on Thursday. Schools shut in Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, as well as the capital Kuala Lumpur and the administrative centre Putrajaya. Schools in the Rompin district of Pahang also closed.
Fadhlina said state and district education offices must keep watching the situation closely. “I have asked all state education departments and district education offices to continue to monitor the haze situation and take immediate action if the situation requires it,” she said. She added that parents would get advance notice of any future closures: “In the future, we will ensure that any decision to close schools is notified in advance so that parents have sufficient time to prepare.”
Malaysia haze school closures as air quality hits unhealthy levels
Thirty-seven areas recorded unhealthy air on Friday morning, according to government data. Kuala Lumpur showed a reading of around 170 on the Air Pollutant Index, firmly in the unhealthy band. Under Malaysian guidelines, readings from 101 to 200 count as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous. Readings beyond 500 can trigger a local emergency declaration.
King Sultan Ibrahim weighed in on Thursday, saying schools should close once readings reach 150 or higher. The Swiss-based air monitor IQAir later ranked Kuala Lumpur the world’s most polluted major city on Friday, with its index touching 224.
Toxic smoke from peatland and forest fires has shrouded towns and cities across the region for more than a month, and respiratory complaints have risen sharply.
Leaders push for regional action
The haze has become a diplomatic issue. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he spoke to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who agreed to take the necessary steps to fight the fires, with Malaysia ready to offer help. Anwar said he had asked Malaysia’s foreign minister to press for an urgent meeting of ASEAN ministers to coordinate a regional response and support Indonesia’s efforts.
Indonesia has struggled to contain forest and land fires across several provinces, and the smoke has drifted over Malaysia and Singapore for weeks. Singapore also tightened restrictions around its Formula 1 weekend as the haze worsened.
Which areas are affected by the Malaysia school closures?
Schools closed in Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and in the Rompin district of Pahang. The closures took effect on Friday, October 9.
What is causing the haze in Malaysia?
Smoke from peatland and forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia, which has struggled to contain blazes across several provinces. The haze has affected the region for more than a month.
How bad is the air quality in Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur recorded an Air Pollutant Index reading of around 170 on Friday morning, in the unhealthy range. IQAir’s own index later touched 224, ranking it the world’s most polluted major city that day.
What is Malaysia doing about the haze?
Education authorities closed schools in the worst-hit areas and are monitoring the situation. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has spoken to Indonesia’s president and is pushing for an urgent ASEAN ministerial meeting on a coordinated regional response.
Related: Singapore GP faces haze restrictions as air quality worsens
