Haze causes air pollution levels to jump, schools close in Malaysia

Several schools in Malaysia shut Friday as haze from forest fires in nearby Indonesia sent air pollution to dangerous levels.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Education said the affected areas included Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, as well as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Schools in the Rompin area of Pahang were also affected, Education Minister Fazleena Siddique said. She asked education agencies and district offices to monitor air quality and respond quickly when needed.

Government data on Friday morning revealed that 37 regions in Malaysia had dangerous levels of air pollution. In Malaysia, air quality index readings of between 101 and 200 are classified as unhealthy while those between 201 and 300 are classified as very unhealthy. Readings over 300 are dangerous.

Indonesia has been battling forest and land fires in numerous areas. Smoke from these fires has moved across borders, impacting Malaysia and Singapore.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had agreed to take necessary steps to tackle the haze. Malaysia also extended help to address the problem.

The school closures show the effect of transboundary air pollution on public health and daily life. Authorities are monitoring the situation, and working to lessen the impact of the haze.