{
  "id": 12831621,
  "title": "King calls for schools in haze-hit areas to close",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/king-calls-for-schools-in-haze-hit-areas-to-close",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T09:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/128081/king-calls-for-schools-in-haze-hit-areas-to-close"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has urged schools in haze-impacted regions to be shut down, prioritizing the health and safety of students and faculty as air quality remains poor. The King voiced worry over persistent Air Pollutant Index readings ranging from 150 to 180 and urged the Education Ministry to take the issue seriously. \"Appropriate steps should be implemented by the ministry and related agencies to safeguard pupils, students, senior citizens, and respiratory patients,\" His Majesty stated in a Royal Press Office release. The call for closures follows a spate of haze affecting various parts of the country, with air quality continuing to worsen.",
  "summary": "HIS Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has called for schools in haze-affected areas to be closed, saying the health and safety of pupils and students must be given priority as air pollution levels remain elevated. The King expressed concern o...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "King wants schools in areas with APIs of 150 and above to close",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/king-wants-schools-in-areas-with-apis-of-150-and-above-to-close",
        "published": "2026-10-08T07:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "King wants schools in areas with APIs of more than 150 to close",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/king-wants-schools-in-areas-with-apis-of-more-than-150-to-close",
        "published": "2026-10-08T07:39:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "King calls for schools to close if API stays above 150-180 for prolonged period",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/king-calls-for-schools-to-close-if-api-stays-above-150-180-for",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:30:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}