Malaysia closes schools as haze worsens air quality

Malaysia's air quality worsened throughout the day, with nine monitoring stations hitting the critical Air Pollutant Index (API) level of 180 or higher by 2pm, up from seven this morning, the Department of Environment reported. Seremban remained the most affected area, reaching 189 from 186 earlier. Pasir Gudang in Johor saw the most significant increase, jumping from 179 to 188.

Bukit Rambai in Melaka and Segamat and Tangkak in Johor both recorded 184, while Tasek Ipoh in Perak and Johan Setia in Selangor tied at 183. Nilai in Negeri Sembilan and Bandaraya Melaka both stood at 182, with Alor Gajah in Melaka and Larkin in Johor hovering at 180. Nationwide, 37 out of 68 stations reported unhealthy air quality, 31 recorded moderate levels, and none were in the good or very unhealthy categories.

The number of unhealthy stations decreased by one compared to the morning after Balok Baru Kuantan, which had the lowest unhealthy reading at 107, exiting the unhealthy bracket. Widespread school closures across five states and federal territories followed the deteriorating air quality, with Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek announcing that all schools in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya, along with Rompin in Pahang, were shut.

Schools in Perlis, Perak, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan continued as usual, with local education authorities tasked to monitor conditions closely. All shut schools were instructed to implement home-based teaching and learning (PDPR). The DOE linked the persistent haze to prolonged dry spells and ongoing fire hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan.