Malaysia closes schools in capital, parts of country due to haze

Malaysia has closed schools across Kuala Lumpur and various regions due to hazardous air quality caused by smoke from fires in neighboring Indonesia. Toxic smoke from peatland and forest fires has plagued the area for over a month, leading to skyrocketing respiratory complaints. The school closures come as Malaysian and Indonesian leaders discussed the choking smoke and called for an urgent regional meeting.

Kuala Lumpur's air quality worsened to the most polluted global major city, surpassing Singapore, according to the Swiss-based IQAir monitor. Malaysia's Education Minister instructed school closures in four states and two federal territories, with one partial closure in central Pahang State. Schools may remain closed on Monday, and the government aims to notify parents in advance if further closures are necessary.

Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim advised closing schools if air quality readings reach 150 or higher on the Air Pollutant Index (API). The prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, spoke with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto about the fire situation, with both agreeing to take necessary steps. Malaysia has been attempting to combat the haze by increasing cloud seeding attempts, while Indonesia's government highlighted the importance of regular dialogue between leaders.

Experts attribute the flames to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which has exacerbated pollution conditions to their worst levels in years. Singapore's air quality also dipped into the "very unhealthy" range with a reading of 209 on the AQI.