ExfunCity News | Malaysia Haze 2026 Worsens: 37 Areas Unhealthy, Schools Closed Nationwide

Malaysia haze 2026 has become a major national concern as smoke from Indonesian forest and peatland fires continues to affect air quality across Peninsular Malaysia.

As of 3 PM on October 9, 2026, 37 out of Malaysia's 68 air monitoring stations recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels.

Seremban in Negeri Sembilan and Pasir Gudang in Johor both registered API readings of 189, while parts of Melaka, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and other locations remained affected.

The worsening conditions have prompted widespread school closures and disrupted daily activities.

Latest News: 37 Malaysian Locations Record Unhealthy Air

According to Malaysia's Department of Environment (DOE), haze continued affecting large parts of Peninsular Malaysia on October 9.

Seremban, Pasir Gudang and Bukit Rambai were among the locations recording some of the country's highest pollution levels.

An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as unhealthy, while readings above 200 enter the very unhealthy category.

Haze has also reduced visibility in several urban areas, creating difficult conditions for outdoor activities.

Residents can monitor updated readings through the Malaysian Department of Environment APIMS portal.

Latest Update: Schools Closed Across Several States

The Malaysia haze 2026 situation has forced the Education Ministry to announce school closures for Friday, October 9.

Schools in Johor, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were ordered to close, alongside schools in Rompin district, Pahang.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the safety and health of students and school personnel remained the ministry's priority.

Education authorities were also instructed to continue monitoring conditions before making further operational decisions.

Related news: Astro Awani – Malaysian School Closures During Haze

Current Status: Why Is Indonesian Haze Affecting Malaysia?

The main cause of Malaysia haze 2026 is smoke from forest and peatland fires in Indonesia.

On October 8, the DOE reported that the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre detected 210 hotspots in Sumatra and another 94 in Kalimantan.

Dry conditions have contributed to widespread fires, while regional wind patterns are carrying smoke toward Malaysia and Singapore.

Peatland fires are particularly difficult to extinguish because they can continue burning underground, even after visible surface flames disappear.

Read more: Bernama – Cross-Border Haze and Indonesian Hotspots

Public Reactions: Why Does Malaysia Face Haze Repeatedly?

The return of Malaysia haze 2026 has renewed public attention on Southeast Asia's recurring transboundary pollution problem.

For years, large Indonesian forest fires have affected neighbouring countries, especially Malaysia and Singapore.

This year's disruption has extended beyond reduced visibility, with school closures and concerns over business activities and public health.

In Indonesia, indigenous communities and civil society organisations have filed a lawsuit challenging the government's management of recurring wildfires.

The developments have also increased attention on regional cooperation to address forest burning.

Related report: The Guardian – Indonesia Wildfire Lawsuit

What's Next: When Will the Malaysia Haze End?

Malaysia's Meteorological Department previously forecast that haze conditions could gradually improve as the country enters its monsoon transition period from October 9.

Increased rainfall and changing wind directions may help clear polluted air.

However, many monitoring stations continued reporting unhealthy API levels on October 9, indicating that the situation had not yet fully improved.

The outlook will depend largely on rainfall, wind patterns and whether Indonesian forest fires can be brought under control.

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