KUALA LUMPUR — More than two million students across Malaysia were forced to stay home on Friday as toxic haze from wildfires in Indonesia blanketed the region and the two nations’ leaders discussed efforts to tackle the crisis.Schools across Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor states, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and the Rompin district in Pahang will be closed, Malaysia’s Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said in a Facebook post. The move follows similar action taken in the southern state of Johor, one of the worst-affected areas.Indonesia is battling one of its worst fire seasons in years as an intensifying El Nino exacerbates drought and fuels widespread blazes across the archipelago.Thick smoke rising from peatland and forest fires in Indonesia has continuously blanketed many major cities in the region for over a month, causing a surge in the number of patients suffering from respiratory illnesses.Throughout the past week, air quality in Kuala Lumpur has remained at “unhealthy” levels. Nationwide, as many as 37 areas recorded API levels exceeding safe limits.On the morning of Friday, the air pollution index in Kuala Lumpur was around 170 according to Malaysia’s Air Pollution Index (API). IQAir ranked the city as the second most air-polluted place in the world at that time, after Singapore .According to Malaysian guidelines, an API index above 100 is considered unhealthy; above 200 is very unhealthy; and above 300 is dangerous. When the index exceeds 500, authorities can declare a local state of emergency.Malaysia’s Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said in a Facebook post. The move follows similar action taken in the southern state of Johor, one of the worst-affected areas.Neighboring Singapore ranked as the world’s most polluted city, according to IQAir, raising concerns over this weekend’s annual Formula One race in the city-state. This event, which has scheduled performances by Lana Del Rey, Mark Ronson and other international acts, is expected to attract at least 300,000 local and foreign visitors.Race organizer Singapore GP did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In response to severe air pollution, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken directly with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto about the forest fires and haze in the region.“The haze problem is indeed at a worrying level. I have personally contacted President Prabowo,” Anwar said, adding that the Indonesian leader had agreed to take the necessary steps.Malaysia is stepping up its efforts to control haze, including seeking to stimulate rain through cloud seeding techniques. However, forest fires and peatland fires continue to release toxic smoke, affecting many cities in the region.Prime Minister Anwar also instructed Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan to contact the ASEAN Secretariat to request an emergency meeting of environment ministers from the 11 member countries to discuss this issue.KUALA LUMPUR — More than two million students across Malaysia were forced to stay home on Friday as toxic haze from wildfires in Indonesia blanketed the region and the two nations’ leaders discussed efforts to tackle the crisis.Schools across Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor states, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and the Rompin district in Pahang will be closed, Malaysia’s Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said in a Facebook post. The move follows similar action taken in the southern state of Johor, one of the worst-affected areas.Indonesia is battling one of its worst fire seasons in years as an intensifying El Nino exacerbates drought and fuels widespread blazes across the archipelago.Thick smoke rising from peatland and forest fires in Indonesia has continuously blanketed many major cities in the region for over a month, causing a surge in the number of patients suffering from respiratory illnesses.Throughout the past week, air quality in Kuala Lumpur has remained at “unhealthy” levels. Nationwide, as many as 37 areas recorded API levels exceeding safe limits.On the morning of Friday, the air pollution index in Kuala Lumpur was around 170 according to Malaysia’s Air Pollution Index (API). IQAir ranked the city as the second most air-polluted place in the world at that time, after Singapore .According to Malaysian guidelines, an API index above 100 is considered unhealthy; above 200 is very unhealthy; and above 300 is dangerous. When the index exceeds 500, authorities can declare a local state of emergency.Malaysia’s Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said in a Facebook post. The move follows similar action taken in the southern state of Johor, one of the worst-affected areas.Neighboring Singapore ranked as the world’s most polluted city, according to IQAir, raising concerns over this weekend’s annual Formula One race in the city-state. This event, which has scheduled performances by Lana Del Rey, Mark Ronson and other international acts, is expected to attract at least 300,000 local and foreign visitors.Race organizer Singapore GP did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In response to severe air pollution, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken directly with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto about the forest fires and haze in the region.“The haze problem is indeed at a worrying level. I have personally contacted President Prabowo,” Anwar said, adding that the Indonesian leader had agreed to take the necessary steps.Malaysia is stepping up its efforts to control haze, including seeking to stimulate rain through cloud seeding techniques. However, forest fires and peatland fires continue to release toxic smoke, affecting many cities in the region.Prime Minister Anwar also instructed Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan to contact the ASEAN Secretariat to request an emergency meeting of environment ministers from the 11 member countries to discuss this issue.
Malaysia closes schools as Indonesian wildfire haze worsens
