{
  "id": 16427433,
  "title": "Even as skies begin to clear, eateries say the haze has already hurt business",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/even-as-skies-begin-to-clear-eateries-say-the-haze-has-already-hurt",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T04:22:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/25/even-as-skies-begin-to-clear-eateries-say-the-haze-has-already-hurt-business/240202"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As lunchtime approached at Gerai Masakan Panas Che Daud in Kuala Lumpur's Taman Sri Rampai, the stall owner, Che Daud Che Isa, was preparing for the midday crowd. However, the 59-year-old owner found himself serving only one customer at 11:40am. The slow business had persisted since the haze began, with some customers opting to pack their food and eat at home instead of dining in. Che Daud estimated that customer numbers had dropped by approximately half, as worsening air quality appeared to discourage people from eating out. Some customers were even choosing takeaway options, avoiding the food stall altogether and taking their meals home. This experience mirrors the challenges faced by eateries across the Klang Valley, as the haze continues to impact air quality, leading to fewer dine-in customers, falling sales, and altered dining habits. Despite the decline in foot traffic, some restaurants have managed to retain customers, although their regular patrons are increasingly opting for takeaway. At Warung Paman Sol restaurant, owner Solihin Faeez Mohd Shukri noted a 20-25% drop in daily income since the haze started. He observed that families, who would typically dine in with their children, were now sending one person to collect takeaway orders. Solihin expressed concern that prolonged haze could lead to lasting changes in customer habits, with some potentially becoming accustomed to ordering food for delivery rather than dining out. In Shah Alam, Miscusi Express in Seksyen 9 also felt the impact, with sales dropping by about 35% in the past week compared to their usual level. Amir Habibur Rahman, 32, the owner, explained that fewer customers were dining in, while those who did visit preferred indoor seating, which his open-air establishment couldn't accommodate. While takeaway and delivery orders remained steady, the loss of walk-in customers had affected overall sales. Amir expressed no intention to change his shop's operating hours, but he was worried about the potential health risks if the haze lasted for months, as prolonged exposure could affect both customers and workers. The Malaysian Meteorological Department anticipated that the haze would gradually subside next week due to an anticipated change in wind direction, with stronger north-easterly winds and more rainfall expected to improve air quality.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — With lunchtime approaching, Gerai Masakan Panas Che Daud in Taman Sri Rampai would normally...",
  "key_points": [
    "Haze has reduced dine-in customers by half at Gerai Masakan Panas Che Daud.",
    "20-25% drop in daily income at Warung Paman Sol due to haze.",
    "Sales at Miscusi Express in Shah Alam down by about 35% in past week."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Poor air quality forces a shift toward takeaway and delivery services, threatening the revenue of open-air establishments and risking a permanent change in how local communities dine.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}