Being a Good Neighbour as Haze Spreads

Jakarta (ANTARA) – As efforts continue to tackle forest and land fires in Indonesia, the resulting haze has spread to several neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia.

On 8 September 2026, Malaysia’s King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, called for schools affected by the haze to close to protect pupils.

The Malaysian Government acted on the request. The following day, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced school closures in affected areas: Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, as well as the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Earlier, on 5 September, the haze had also prompted the Malaysian Government to declare a state of emergency throughout Serian, Sarawak, which borders Indonesia. The status did not last long and was later lifted.

In Singapore, the Formula 1 race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit went ahead despite the hazy skies. Organisers decided not to postpone the event.

Given the wide-ranging regional impact, Indonesia is continuing to step up efforts to tackle forest and land fires in various areas, including deploying firefighting personnel and equipment and enforcing the law against parties responsible for setting fires.

The Indonesian Government is also optimising the mobilisation of personnel across sectors, involving communities and businesses, alongside deploying central and regional government resources.

“We are continuing to coordinate, engage in dialogue and communicate with neighbouring countries so that we can address this issue together,” said Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, Spokesperson II for Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently.