World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 days ago
Malaysia closes schools as haze prompts calls to investigate companies
Smoke from forest fires in Indonesia has pushed air pollution in Malaysia to unhealthy levels.
Malaysian authorities closed schools in Kuala Lumpur and several states, and some weekend sports events were cancelled.
Kuala Lumpur recorded an Air Pollutant Index reading of about 170, above the level Malaysia classifies as unhealthy.
The haze has returned despite years of regional efforts to address fires and their smoke.
Environmental groups say Malaysian and Singaporean business interests are linked to fire hotspots in Indonesia’s Kalimantan, and are urging Malaysia to investigate companies and strengthen its laws.
Those links are allegations, and the groups are calling for stronger action by the government.
Malaysia’s prime minister says he spoke with Indonesia’s president and is seeking an urgent meeting of ASEAN environment ministers, but the next steps have not been detailed.
Malaysia closed schools in Kuala Lumpur and several states on Friday as haze from fires in Indonesia pushed air pollution to unhealthy levels.
Kuala Lumpur recorded an Air Pollutant Index reading of about 170, while roughly two million students were affected.
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim said schools should close when readings reach 150 or higher.
Malaysia also cancelled or postponed outdoor sporting events because of the haze.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Indonesia’s president had agreed to take steps to address the problem, but gave no details.
- Who
- Malaysian schoolchildren and education communities were affected. Malaysian authorities ordered the closures.
- What
- Schools closed because haze from Indonesian forest fires worsened air quality. Outdoor sporting events were also cancelled or postponed.
- When
- Schools were closed on Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Where
- Kuala Lumpur and several states, including Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Selangor; Putrajaya was also affected.
- Why
- Smoke from forest fires in Indonesia caused unhealthy air pollution in Malaysia.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Indonesia’s coordinating minister for political and security affairs said El Niño conditions threatened more fires during the dry season.
Smoke began to blanket the region as Indonesia experienced its worst fire season in over a decade.
Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim said schools should close when air-quality readings reach 150 or higher.
Malaysia closed schools in Kuala Lumpur and several states as haze from Indonesian fires caused unhealthy air quality.
- Students affected
- Roughly two million
- Kuala Lumpur API
- About 170 on Friday
- Malaysian school-closure threshold
- The king said schools should close at API readings of 150 or higher
- Indonesian fires
- At least 200,000 hectares scorched across six provinces
- Malaysia’s school closure date
- Friday, October 9, 2026
What people are saying
The haze issue is indeed at a worrying level,
Appropriate measures must be taken by the relevant ministries and agencies to protect schoolchildren and students, including senior citizens and patients with respiratory illnesses,
I have instructed all state education departments and district education offices to continue monitoring the haze situation and take immediate action if conditions require it,
Going forward, we will ensure that any decision to close schools is communicated in advance so that parents have enough time to prepare,
Sources
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