{
  "id": 13041918,
  "title": "Haze forces closure of schools in 3 Perak districts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/haze-forces-closure-of-schools-in-3-perak-districts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T05:43:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/09/haze-forces-closure-of-schools-in-3-perak-districts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The haze has forced the closure of schools in three Perak districts, with the air pollutant index (API) reading in Ipoh reaching 180. Perak state education director Zulkafli Mohamed Mokhtar emphasised that schools must prioritise pupils’ safety and health by implementing home-based teaching and learning. The closure affects all educational institutions under the education ministry in Kinta Utara, Kinta Selatan, and Kuala Kangsar, and teachers and support staff must work from home throughout the closure. Parents and guardians are advised to follow official announcements from the Perak education department for updates and not make assumptions about reopening dates. This closure joins other states such as Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Rompin in Pahang, all closing schools due to the haze.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Haze: Schools in three Perak districts ordered to close immediately",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/haze-schools-in-three-perak-districts-ordered-to-close-immediately",
        "published": "2026-10-09T04:57:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Haze forces closure of schools in 3 Perak districts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/haze-forces-closure-of-schools-in-3-perak-districts-13049435",
        "published": "2026-10-09T05:43:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}