{
  "id": 12402222,
  "title": "Haze forces closure of all schools in Batu Pahat tomorrow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/haze-forces-closure-of-all-schools-in-batu-pahat-tomorrow-12402222",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T13:56:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/06/haze-forces-closure-of-all-schools-in-batu-pahat-tomorrow"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Batu Pahat district in Malaysia has temporarily closed all schools, kindergartens, and nurseries due to deteriorating haze conditions tomorrow, according to the local disaster management committee. The decision was made based on the air pollutant index (API) reading of 203 at 8pm, indicating very unhealthy air quality. The committee stated that schools will transition to home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) if instructed by the education ministry, the Johor education department, or the Batu Pahat district education office. Parents and guardians will be informed about the PdPR method, students' assignments, and communication channels through the schools' official channels. The closure adheres to the National Haze Action Plan and education ministry guidelines. Air quality in Johor, particularly in Batu Pahat, has been severely impacted, with API readings reaching 196 at 5pm and dropping to 160 by evening. The API scale ranges from 0 to 50 (good), 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and 301 and above (hazardous).",
  "summary": "The air pollutant index reading in the district reached 203 at 8pm.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Unhealthy air readings rise to 30 areas, Batu Pahat tops",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/unhealthy-air-readings-rise-to-30-areas-batu-pahat-tops",
        "published": "2026-10-06T09:49:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Haze forces closure of all schools in Batu Pahat tomorrow",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/haze-forces-closure-of-all-schools-in-batu-pahat-tomorrow",
        "published": "2026-10-06T13:56:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}