RismadarVoice Reporters
October 9, 2026
Malaysian authorities have ordered the closure of schools in several states following worsening air pollution linked to smoke from forest and land fires in neighbouring Indonesia.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced the closures on Thursday, October 8, saying the affected areas included Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, as well as Rompin district in Pahang state.
The minister said education authorities had been instructed to monitor air quality closely and implement additional safety measures where necessary.
Government air quality data showed that 37 locations across Malaysia recorded unhealthy pollution levels on Friday morning, raising concerns about the impact of prolonged exposure to polluted air.
Under Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index, readings between 101 and 200 are classified as unhealthy, while readings between 201 and 300 are considered very unhealthy. Levels exceeding 300 are classified as hazardous.
The deteriorating conditions have been linked to smoke from forest and land fires in Indonesia, where authorities are battling outbreaks across several provinces.
The resulting transboundary haze has affected air quality in neighbouring countries, including Malaysia and Singapore.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had discussed the situation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who agreed to take measures to address the fires and reduce their impact.
Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s readiness to support Indonesia in efforts to contain the fires.
He disclosed that he had directed Malaysia’s foreign minister to pursue a meeting of ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to coordinate a regional response to the worsening haze.
The proposed discussions are expected to focus on cooperation among affected countries and measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
The school closures are intended to limit students’ and teachers’ exposure to polluted air while authorities assess conditions in affected communities.
Prolonged exposure to haze can cause respiratory irritation and worsen existing conditions, particularly among children, older people and individuals with respiratory illnesses.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring pollution levels before determining when affected schools can safely resume normal activities.
The situation has renewed attention to the recurring problem of transboundary haze in Southeast Asia and the need for coordinated measures to prevent and control forest and land fires.
