Bardjan, Jakarta – Malaysia has expanded school closures to several states, Kuala Lumpur and administrative capital Putrajaya as severe haze linked to forest and land fires in Indonesia worsens air quality across the country.

Under the Education Ministry's latest directive, schools in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 180 must close starting Friday, October 9. Schools in areas recording API readings above 150 for three consecutive days will also be closed starting Monday, October 12.

The ministry announced the expanded measures in a statement late Thursday, October 8, as air pollution affected much of Peninsular Malaysia.

Malaysia uses the API to classify air quality into five categories. Readings of 0 to 50 indicate "good" air quality, while readings of 51 to 100 are considered "moderate." An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as "unhealthy," while 201 to 300 indicates "very unhealthy" conditions. Readings of 301 or higher are categorized as "hazardous."

Data from Malaysia's Air Pollutant Index Management System showed that most areas across Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy air quality as of 1 p.m. Friday.

The west coast states of Selangor, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan were particularly affected, according to the data.

The expanded school closures come as authorities respond to deteriorating air quality by applying different closure thresholds based on the severity and persistence of pollution in affected areas.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2121300/malaysia-expands-school-closures-as-haze-worsens-air-qualit