Kuala Lumpur’s air quality remains in the “unhealthy” range as persistent haze, driven by transboundary smoke from Indonesian forest fires, continues to disrupt daily life across Malaysia. Air quality indices in the capital reached as high as 244 on October 15, marking the city as the most polluted major city in the world at that time, according to data from the Swiss tracker IQAir. While levels had decreased to 172 by the morning of October 23, the prolonged poor air quality has forced school closures and triggered widespread complaints of respiratory irritation and allergies among residents.

Malaysia escalates transboundary haze issue at ASEAN meeting

The Malaysian government is preparing to escalate the issue of transboundary haze at the upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that the current crisis requires special attention, noting that existing ASEAN disaster response mechanisms do not fully cover this type of transboundary event. Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has confirmed that Malaysia has offered firefighting aircraft, helicopters, and personnel to assist Indonesia in containment efforts, an offer recently accepted by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Johan Rosihan, a member of the DPR Commission IV, told Kompas.com that the ASEAN Summit offers a prime opportunity to evaluate the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. He emphasized that while Indonesia holds the primary responsibility for its own forests, the summit should focus on improving hotspot data sharing and enforcing corporate accountability for land-clearing practices that lead to fires.

Malaysia: Swiss Air Quality Monitoring Firm Records Kuala Lumpur AQI At 172 | WION News

Did You Know? According to data from the deforestation monitoring platform Nusantara Atlas, more than 1.9 million hectares of land in Indonesia had been burned by fires as of the end of September this year.

Environmental crisis threatens industrial output and business earnings

The environmental crisis has extended beyond public health, impacting local industries and the broader economy. Poultry farmers have reported slower growth rates and declining output, forcing them to increase spending on cooling and ventilation systems to keep livestock alive in the combined heat and haze. In the Dewan Rakyat, lawmaker Lim Guan Eng has suggested that if regional task forces fail to materialize, Malaysia should consider seeking compensation for the economic losses incurred by businesses and gig workers, such as motorcycle-hailing drivers, who are unable to operate safely in the smog.

Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Shrouded in Haze as Indonesian Wildfires Persist | IGR | India Global Review

Calls for domestic reform are also intensifying. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, has urged the government to expedite a comprehensive Clean Air Act. He argues that the nation must shift from a reactive, seasonal approach to a permanent, science-driven legal framework that includes stronger emission controls and clearer emergency protocols for severe pollution events.

Expert Insight: The debate over potential legal action by Malaysian lawmakers and Indonesia’s emphasis on sovereignty and regional cooperation highlights the complexities of addressing transboundary haze.

Photo: Kompas

Wind shifts promise relief while fire risks remain high

Meteorological authorities in Malaysia anticipate that a shift in wind direction next week could provide some relief from the smoke. The arrival of the northeast monsoon in November is expected to clear the air. Despite these forecasts, officials warn that persistent hot and dry conditions throughout the region continue to keep the risk of new forest and peatland fires elevated, potentially prolonging the haze crisis if environmental conditions do not stabilize.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are schools in Malaysia closing?

Schools have been forced to close in some areas due to deteriorating air quality caused by the haze. The air quality index (AQI) has remained at levels classified as “unhealthy,” posing risks to students, particularly those with existing health conditions.

Malaysia Haze Crisis: Kuala Lumpur Choked by Smoke as Indonesia Forest Fires Rage | TSG

What is being done to stop the fires?

Indonesia has approved the acceptance of firefighting assistance from Singapore and Malaysia, which includes the deployment of aircraft, helicopters, and personnel. Regional discussions at the upcoming ASEAN Summit will focus on improving fire prevention, data sharing, and the enforcement of environmental regulations.

How does the current haze compare to previous years?

While the haze has been a recurring issue, some residents, such as those born in the 1990s, have described this year’s conditions as the worst they have experienced since their primary school years. Lawmaker Lim Guan Eng claimed that the affected area in Indonesia reached 300,000 hectares, which he characterized as more than 70% higher than in 2023.

Malaysia Haze Crisis: Kuala Lumpur's Homeless Left Exposed As Indonesia Wildfires Fuel Air Pollution

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