Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Putrajaya schools to close on Tuesday — education minister

PUTRAJAYA, 13 OCTOBER 2026 —

PUTRAJAYA, 12 Oct 2026 – Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek announced on Monday that all schools in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and the federal territory of Putrajaya will be closed on Tuesday, 13 Oct, as the haze that has blanketed parts of Peninsular Malaysia worsens.

She added that schools in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak will remain open as usual, and that schools in other districts of Selangor and Pahang are not affected.

Fadhlina urged school authorities to monitor outdoor activities in line with the prevailing air‑quality conditions. “For schools operating as usual, school authorities are asked to monitor outdoor activities according to current air quality conditions,” she wrote.

She also advised parents, pupils and school staff to wear appropriate face masks when outdoors, especially in the haze‑affected areas, and to rely on official announcements from their respective schools, district education offices and state education departments for the latest updates.

Air‑quality data released by the Department of Environment showed that, as of 10 a.m. on Monday, 23 locations across the country recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels. The highest reading was recorded in Kota Tinggi, Johor, at 170. Other notable readings included Pasir Gudang, also in Johor, at 174; Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, at 166; and Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, at 163.

An API reading between 101 and 200 is classified as unhealthy, indicating that the haze poses a health risk to the public, particularly to children and vulnerable groups.

The minister’s decision follows a pattern of precautionary school closures adopted in previous haze episodes, aimed at protecting students from prolonged exposure to polluted air. By suspending in‑person classes in the most affected states and districts, the Ministry of Education seeks to reduce the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues that can arise from breathing contaminated air for extended periods.

In addition to the closures, the minister’s statement reiterated that schools in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and other states not listed among the affected areas will continue to operate. She emphasized that school authorities in those regions must still monitor outdoor activities and ensure that any outdoor lessons or extracurricular events are conducted only when air quality permits.

The announcement was echoed by several local news outlets. Malay Mail reported that the closures were prompted by the “continuing haze,” while Free Malaysia Today highlighted the minister’s advice that parents, students and teachers wear face masks when outside, especially in haze‑hit areas. Says.com also noted that the closure affects six districts in Selangor and Pahang, while schools elsewhere will operate as usual.

The decision has immediate implications for parents and students in the affected regions. With in‑person classes suspended for Tuesday, schools are expected to shift to remote learning where possible, although the minister’s post did not specify the mode of continuation. Parents have been asked to stay alert to communications from their children’s schools, which will provide details on any adjustments to timetables, assignments or examinations.

The haze, which originates from forest‑fire activity in the region, has been a recurring seasonal challenge for Malaysia and its neighbours. While the source of the current smoke is not detailed in the minister’s statement, the API readings indicate that the pollutant concentrations have reached levels that warrant public health interventions.

The Ministry of Health has previously issued guidelines on mask usage and indoor ventilation during haze episodes, and the education ministry’s directive aligns with those broader public‑health measures.

Stakeholders in the education sector, including teachers’ unions and school administrators, have been reminded to follow the minister’s guidance and to keep families informed through official channels. The minister’s call for reliance on “official announcements from their respective school authorities, district education offices and state education departments” underscores the importance of coordinated communication to avoid confusion and ensure that safety protocols are uniformly applied.

The closure also affects the logistics of school operations, such as transportation and catering services, which will be halted for the day in the affected districts. While the statement did not address compensation or support for staff, previous haze‑related closures have seen the Ministry of Education provide guidance on leave arrangements and the continuation of salary payments.

Looking ahead, the minister’s post did not specify a timeline for reopening schools in the affected areas, indicating that decisions will be based on future air‑quality readings and the evolution of the haze situation. Parents and educators are therefore advised to monitor updates from the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Education, which will issue further notices should conditions improve or deteriorate.

The latest haze episode, marked by API readings that breach the unhealthy threshold in multiple districts, has prompted a swift response from the federal government. By closing schools in the most affected states and districts, the education ministry aims to safeguard the health of students and staff while maintaining educational continuity through alternative arrangements where feasible.

Related: Ministry of Education · Putrajaya