Malaysia’s Education Ministry said Thursday that schools in areas where the air pollution index (API) tops 180 must close from Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, as haze from Indonesian forest fires pushes air quality into the unhealthy range across the country.
The Environment Department’s monitoring system recorded unhealthy readings in 38 areas as of 9 a.m. Thursday, Malaysiakini reported. Segamat, Johor, was highest at 187, followed by Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, at 183.
Education Director-General Mohd Azam Ahmad said areas above 180 “must close from Friday, October 9, 2026,” according to a Malay Mail report. Institutions in areas where the index stays above 150 for three consecutive days will close from Monday, Oct. 12. The rule applies area by area and is not a nationwide shutdown.
Closed schools must switch to home-based teaching and learning, and teachers and support staff may work from home, Mohd Azam said. State and district education offices must monitor air quality continuously and act when the thresholds are crossed.
The directive followed a call from the country’s king, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who said student health and safety should come first. Malaysiakini reported that he advised closing schools in affected areas, especially where readings stay between 150 and 180 for long periods, and urged the public to wear masks and cut outdoor activity. Johor had already announced a two-day closure after a decree from the Johor Regent, the same report said.
Other readings Thursday morning included Johan Setia at 178, Shah Alam at 170, Banting at 167 and Klang at 166, Malaysiakini reported. Malaysian classifications put 101 to 200 in the unhealthy band and 201 to 300 in the very unhealthy band.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he contacted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto personally and that Prabowo agreed to take the necessary steps, according to Malaysiakini. Anwar said the air force and other agencies had stepped up cloud seeding almost daily, but he called the situation worrying. He also asked Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan to request an urgent meeting of ASEAN environment ministers through the bloc’s secretariat.
Malaysiakini attributed the haze to continuing forest fires in Indonesia linked to slash-and-burn land clearing, and said a severe El Nino pattern had brought prolonged drought. The Star’s regional news summary said the UN weather agency expects El Nino to intensify and last until February 2027. We did not independently verify that forecast.
The haze is regional. The Star’s summary said Singapore’s air quality readings were in the unhealthy range, visibility in Palembang, Indonesia, fell to 400 metres, and haze also affected Brunei.
For Canadians in Malaysia, the federal government’s travel advice tells travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution” and says unrestricted burning periodically pushes haze to unhealthy levels, “especially from June to October.” It adds that levels change quickly and should be closely monitored. Canadians with respiratory conditions can check local readings before travel.
The next test is Friday, when the first closures take effect in areas above 180. Weekend readings will decide whether the three-day rule closes more schools on Oct. 12.
Via Malay Mail and Malaysiakini.
If you find reporting like this useful, consider supporting Canada News Media, an independent Canadian newsroom with no corporate parent.
