Malaysia Urges ASEAN Action as Haze Worsens Air Quality and Triggers School Closures
Malaysia has urged ASEAN member states to step up preventive measures against transboundary haze as prolonged dry weather pushes air quality to unhealthy levels across multiple regions, prompting school closures affecting approximately 200,000 students in Sarawak.
Regional Haze Crisis Triggers Emergency Response Across Malaysia
Persistent dry weather conditions in the southern ASEAN region have driven a sharp rise in hotspots and haze activity. According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), 11 areas across Sarawak and Melaka recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of August 22, 2026. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup stated that Malaysia conveyed its position through an official message to ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn on Friday, August 21.
Serian registered the highest API reading in the country at 190. Kuching followed closely at 181, alongside Samarahan at 177, Sri Aman at 174, Sarikei at 172, Sibu at 160, Bintulu at 157, Samalaju at 156, Mukah at 156, and Miri at 152. In Melaka, Bukit Rambai reached an unhealthy reading of 140. An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as unhealthy, while readings from zero to 50 are good and 51 to 100 are moderate.
School Closures and Institutional Disruptions
The worsening air quality forced protective action. Sarawak ordered two-day school closures, impacting roughly 200,000 students as almost 600 schools shut their doors. Additionally, childcare centers and kindergartens, known locally as taskas, face closures once local API metrics reach the 200 threshold, according to Nancy.
Calls for Regional Enforcement Under the AATHP
Minister Kurup emphasized that Malaysia remains fully committed to achieving a haze-free ASEAN by 2030 through the effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP). Although active fires remain contained within respective member state borders, the escalating risk of transboundary pollution demands heightened regional vigilance.
As the El Niño phenomenon is projected to strengthen gradually over the coming months, meteorological conditions could exacerbate the crisis. Malaysia has urged all ASEAN member nations to closely monitor high-risk zones, increase hotspot surveillance, enforce strict prohibitions against open burning, and maintain high firefighting readiness. Furthermore, Malaysia welcomed the ASEAN Secretariat’s interim role as the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) in facilitating rapid information sharing and coordinating regional preparedness.