Malaysia raises the threshold for haze-related school closures
Malaysia has updated its school closure guidelines, raising the Air Pollutant Index (API) threshold from 180 to 200. The Ministry of Education stated this change aligns school policy with the National Haze Action Plan to minimize unnecessary disruptions to learning.
Why it matters
Adjusting environmental safety thresholds reflects the government's attempt to balance public health concerns with the need for consistent educational continuity during haze events.
Schools will now close in areas where the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 200, while outdoor activities will be suspended when the readings reach 100 or above.
Kuala Lumpur's skyline shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct 9, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Hasnoor Hussain)
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