Haze Forces Malaysia to Close Schools

Istanbul (ANTARA) – Malaysia closed schools on Friday (9 October) as haze levels increased, according to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

The closures affected schools in the states of Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, as well as the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and the Rompin District in Pahang.

According to Bloomberg data, the closures mean more than two million pupils will have to study from home.

The haze blanketing Malaysia is the result of forest and land fires in Indonesia.

Anwar said his government was stepping up efforts to address the problem, including through cloud-seeding operations.

Last September, Malaysia conducted a three-day cloud-seeding operation in the eastern state of Sarawak to replenish dam reserves and reduce haze in the area.

Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, shares a land border with Indonesia. The operation was part of authorities’ efforts to tackle haze associated with fires in the region.

Anwar also discussed the haze issue with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and they agreed to provide support.

Nearly 95,000 hectares of land burned in Indonesia in July, while about 202,000 hectares had burned nationwide by the end of that month, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry.

Indonesia has recorded about 175,000 cases of acute respiratory infections since August in areas affected by forest and land fires.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Singapore is hosting a Formula 1 race this weekend. Organisers said the event would not be postponed despite the impact of the haze.