Malaysia closes schools as haze prompts lower pollution thresholds

Malaysia closed schools in Kuala Lumpur and other affected areas on Friday, October 9, as worsening haze disrupted lessons and prompted requirements for home-based learning. The closures follow announcements by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek on Thursday and come as authorities lower the pollution thresholds for closing institutions under her ministry.

CNA reported that the affected areas include Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, along with the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. In Pahang, the announcement specified Rompin district. The reported measures do not amount to a nationwide school shutdown.

DW attributed the haze to forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia. It reported an Air Pollutant Index reading of 170 in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, without specifying the measurement time. That figure is a reported snapshot, rather than a live indication of conditions across the capital.

Lower pollution thresholds for school closures

According to Malaysiakini, the revised guidelines require educational institutions under the Education Ministry to close when the Air Pollutant Index, or API, exceeds 180, or remains above 150 for three consecutive days. The rules introduce a lower trigger than the previous threshold of above 200.

The earlier national haze plan, described in a Department of Environment statement dated July 24, 2025, called for schools, kindergartens and childcare centres to close immediately when API exceeded 200. That document provides a historical baseline; it does not describe this week's pollution conditions.

The 2025 plan also distinguished restrictions on outdoor lessons from full closures: outdoor classroom activities were to stop above API 100, with preparations for closure when readings were rising towards 200. The current reporting does not establish that the new ministry thresholds cover every private school, kindergarten or childcare centre.

The revised policy followed an intervention on Thursday by King Sultan Ibrahim, who urged authorities to prioritise pupils' health and safety amid elevated pollution. Malaysiakini reported that the ministry acknowledged his intervention in explaining its decision.

Home learning and notice for parents

Affected ministry institutions must provide home-based teaching and learning throughout the closure period. Malaysiakini quoted Azam as saying they were “required to conduct teaching and learning from home”. The ministry said teaching methods should account for pupils' capabilities, access and needs, as well as teachers' preparedness.

Teachers and support staff may also work from home during closures, subject to the education minister's consideration, Malaysiakini reported. The published accounts do not establish how many pupils have participated in home learning or whether all affected households have the access they need.

Fadhlina acknowledged that closures disrupt parents' routines and arrangements, according to CNA. She instructed state education departments and district education offices to keep monitoring conditions and act when necessary. DW quoted her promise that future closure decisions would be communicated in advance so parents have “enough time to prepare”.

Unhealthy readings across Malaysia

CNA reported that 37 areas recorded unhealthy API levels on Friday morning, citing government data. The index classifies readings from 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.

Readings reported by Malaysiakini for 8pm on Thursday included 190 in Segamat, 189 in Seremban and 184 in Nilai. Those measurements predate Friday's closures and should not be read as current conditions in those locations.

Some disruption began earlier. CNA reported that about 300 educational institutions in Batu Pahat closed on October 7 after air quality reached the very unhealthy range. Johor's statewide closures began on October 8 for two days. State education committee chairman Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said assessments during closure would be postponed, subject to education authorities' decisions.

Indonesia commitment and reopening uncertainty

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto had agreed to take measures to tackle the haze, DW reported. No operational details accompanied that account, which does not establish that fires have been extinguished or air quality has improved.

The reports do not establish a general reopening date or a verified total of schools and pupils affected by Friday's closures. The Education Ministry said it would continue monitoring developments and seeking advice from the Health Ministry and relevant agencies.