Singapore's air hits world's worst as haze shuts every school in neighboring Malaysian state
Singapore's air pollution ranked the worst among the world's major cities on Oct. 7 as haze from Indonesian wildfires blanketed the region and prompted the neighboring Malaysian state of Johor to shut all its schools for two days.
Singapore's air quality ranked among the worst in the world, the city-state's National Environment Agency reported as of Oct. 7. The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index ranged from 101 to 132, classifying the conditions as unhealthy across all five regions of the island. This came days before Singapore's annual Formula One race weekend.
Kuala Lumpur, once leading the list, now ranks second with a reading of 221, according to Swiss monitor IQAir. The spike in air pollution follows dry conditions forecasted over most of southern Southeast Asia, heightening the risk of fires and transboundary haze.
In response, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim ordered all schools in the Malaysian state to close on Oct. 8 and 9, affecting 617,258 students at 1,198 schools. The closure aims to protect students from the hazardous air quality.
District Batu Pahat, about 140 km northwest of Singapore, bore the brunt of the haze, with 200 schools and kindergartens already shut. The Air Pollutant Index reached 208, a level classified as very unhealthy, before easing slightly.
Health officials advised parents to limit their children's outdoor activities and to seek medical attention if symptoms like coughing, sore throat, or breathing difficulties arose. Employers were urged to offer flexible arrangements to working parents.
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