{
  "id": 14423621,
  "title": "Indonesia’s haze spikes Singapore pollution, shuts East Timor schools",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/indonesias-haze-spikes-singapore-pollution-shuts-east-timor-schools",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T10:14:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/14/indonesia-haze-spikes-singapore-pollution-shuts-east-timor-schools"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Forest fires in Indonesia have burned hundreds of thousands of hectares, causing respiratory issues for residents and producing a thick haze that has spread across the region. Singapore's air quality on Wednesday hit the \"very high\" category, the highest level recorded by the country's National Environment Agency. The agency reported particulate matter (PM2.5) levels of 288 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended annual exposure of 5 micrograms. Indonesia experiences frequent wildfires during the dry season, but this year's blazes have been more intense due to a strong El Nino cycle and increased slash-and-burn land-clearing practices. The haze has reached neighboring Singapore, Malaysia, and East Timor, prompting several countries to take action. In East Timor, schools have been shut for three days from Thursday to protect students, teachers, and other members of the educational community from the poor air quality. The Indonesian government has mobilized over 60,000 personnel to combat the fires, but their efforts have had limited success so far. Malaysia has requested a meeting of the regional body, Asean, to address the crisis, urging Indonesia to face diplomatic consequences for their actions.",
  "summary": "Singapore has rolled out subsidies for haze-related medical treatment, a measure last activated in 2015 when similar fires in Indonesia shrouded Southeast Asia in toxic smoke for weeks.",
  "key_points": [
    "Forest fires in Indonesia burn hundreds of thousands of hectares",
    "Singapore's air quality reaches 'very high' category with PM2.5 at 288 µg/m³",
    "East Timor schools closed for three days due to poor air quality"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Antara News Indonesia",
        "title": "Indonesia brings Bandung Spirit to UN Talks on Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/indonesia-brings-bandung-spirit-to-un-talks-on-africa",
        "published": "2026-10-14T05:37:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Malaysia, Indonesia begin talks on joint action against forest fires causing haze, says Tok Mat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/malaysia-indonesia-begin-talks-on-joint-action-against-forest-fires",
        "published": "2026-10-14T06:09:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Haze: Malaysia, Indonesia discuss joint action on forest fires",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/haze-malaysia-indonesia-discuss-joint-action-on-forest-fires",
        "published": "2026-10-14T06:46:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Indonesia names over 200 people, nine firms as suspects over forest fires as transboundary haze worsens",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/indonesia-names-over-200-people-nine-firms-as-suspects-over-forest",
        "published": "2026-10-14T09:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Indonesia’s haze spikes Singapore pollution, shuts East Timor schools",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/indonesias-haze-spikes-singapore-pollution-shuts-east-timor-schools-14425556",
        "published": "2026-10-14T10:14:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}