Regional Haze Blighted Southeast Asia
Widespread wildfires in Indonesia have caused dangerous air quality and school closures throughout Malaysia.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Asthma
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Southeast Asia has faced over a month of thick haze caused by intense wildfires in Indonesia linked to slash-and-burn farming during a powerful El Niño. The air quality in Kuala Lumpur dropped to very unhealthy levels, leading the city to rank as the most polluted in the world.
Why it matters
The persistent haze poses significant health risks to the regional population, disrupting daily life and infrastructure. Malaysia has sought direct diplomatic cooperation with Indonesia to help extinguish the fires and alleviate the environmental crisis.
A total of 617,000 students were impacted by school closures in Johor, while at least five flights experienced disruptions at Senai International Airport due to visibility issues. It remains unknown when the environmental impact will dissipate.
The players
Anwar Ibrahim
He is the Prime Minister of Malaysia who contacted regional leadership to discuss the haze crisis.
Prabowo Subianto
He is the President of Indonesia who received communication regarding the cross-border air pollution.
Greenpeace Malaysia
This is an environmental advocacy organization that conducted a demonstration regarding the worsening air quality.
The details
Malaysia has taken emergency measures, including deploying cloud seeding, to mitigate the impact of the toxic fumes. Authorities are also attempting to coordinate a joint team with Indonesia to provide direct assistance in suppressing the fires that have blanketed the region.
Timeline
Last week: Kuala Lumpur marathon organizers canceled the kids' race.
Wednesday: Greenpeace Malaysia held a public demonstration.
Thursday early morning: Five flights were disrupted at Senai International Airport.
Thursday afternoon: Air quality reached very unhealthy levels in Kuala Lumpur.
Through the end of the week: Schools in Johor remain closed.
Health Landscape
This environmental emergency mirrors the 2015 Southeast Asian haze crisis, which was similarly driven by land-clearing practices and severe meteorological conditions. The current surge in respiratory hazards marks a return to extreme pollution levels that threaten regional public health infrastructure.
The poor air quality forces residents in affected areas to limit outdoor activities and rely on respiratory protection to prevent asthma flare-ups. Families must stay informed on school closure updates and monitor local air quality indices to reduce exposure to harmful particulate matter.
The takeaway
Individuals should prioritize indoor activities and follow local government health advisories until the haze dissipates. Wearing high-quality masks can help minimize the inhalation of hazardous smoke particles during peak pollution days.
Further reading
For more on managing respiratory health during poor air quality events, visit our Asthma section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mint.
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