Malaysia Closes Schools as Indonesian Fire Haze Worsens

Malaysia closed schools in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and several states on Friday as smoke from fires in Indonesia pushed air pollution to unhealthy levels. The closures affected roughly two million students, according to reports, as authorities responded to the regional haze. Schools were ordered closed across Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, as well as Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and parts of Pahang. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry had directed education departments and district offices to monitor conditions and act if necessary. She also said authorities would try to give families more advance notice of future closures. Kuala Lumpur’s Air Pollutant Index reading was reported at about 170 on Friday, above Malaysia’s unhealthy threshold of 100. Readings above 200 are classified as very unhealthy, while those above 300 are considered hazardous. Singapore also recorded air quality in the very unhealthy range, according to the reports. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had spoken with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who agreed to take necessary steps to address the haze. Anwar did not specify what measures Indonesia would take.