Malaysia closes schools across several states, including Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, as haze from Indonesian forest fires pushes air pollution to unhealthy levels.
Kuala Lumpur: Schools across several Malaysian states and federal territories were closed on Friday as thick haze from forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia pushed air pollution to unhealthy levels, raising serious concerns about children’s health and safety.
The closures affected Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, alongside the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Schools in the Rompin district of Pahang were also ordered to shut.
Air Pollution Reaches Unhealthy Levels
Malaysia’s Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced the closures after air quality deteriorated across several regions.
According to government monitoring data, 37 locations recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings on Friday morning.
Malaysia classifies API readings between 101 and 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.
The Education Ministry has instructed schools to implement home-based learning where required, while teachers and support staff may work remotely during closures.
Indonesian Forest Fires Trigger Regional Crisis
The worsening haze has been linked to forest and land fires across several Indonesian provinces, with smoke spreading into neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had agreed to take steps to address the situation.
Malaysia has also called for greater regional coordination through ASEAN to tackle the recurring environmental crisis.
Authorities Prioritise Student Safety
Education officials have been instructed to monitor pollution levels continuously and take immediate action when conditions deteriorate.
The ministry said future closure announcements would be communicated earlier to help parents make necessary arrangements.
Schools in unaffected states continue operating normally.
Impact to Expect
Continued haze could lead to further school closures, extended remote learning and increased respiratory health concerns, while strengthening calls for coordinated regional action against forest fires.
