Malaysia suspended classes in the capital and several other areas on Friday as hazardous haze from forest and peatland fires in neighboring Indonesia severely deteriorated air quality. The persistent smoke, which has blanketed parts of the region for over a month, has led to increased respiratory health issues among the population.

The closure affected schools in Kuala Lumpur and multiple districts, reflecting growing concern over the health risks posed by the thick haze. Authorities have cited the need to protect students from the high concentration of pollutants that have pushed air quality indexes to among the worst globally.

The environmental crisis has prompted high-level discussions between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Prime Minister Anwar called for an urgent regional summit to address the transboundary haze crisis, emphasizing the need for cooperative measures to prevent and mitigate such incidents in the future.

The recurring fires in Indonesia are primarily attributed to slash-and-burn agricultural practices on peatlands, which release large amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere. Despite ongoing efforts by Indonesian authorities to contain the blazes, dry weather conditions and the scale of the fires continue to challenge containment efforts.

Both Malaysia and neighboring countries experience significant disruptions during the annual haze season, which typically peaks between July and October. The environmental and public health consequences have sparked calls for stronger regional collaboration under ASEAN frameworks to address the underlying causes of the fires and to implement early warning and response systems.

As the haze persists, health officials in Malaysia continue to advise residents, especially children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities and use protective masks when necessary. The government has also increased monitoring of air quality and health impacts as emergency response mechanisms remain on alert amid the ongoing environmental emergency.