Malaysia logs unhealthy air quality in 30 areas as haze deepens

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 AUGUST 2026 —

Malaysia recorded unhealthy air quality in about 30 areas on Tuesday, with the highest reading of 182 in Serian, Sarawak, as transboundary haze from Indonesian fires spread across the west coast and parts of East Malaysia.

Kuala Lumpur’s reading stood at 154 and Johor districts Segamat, Batu Pahat and Tangkak each recorded 152. Another 38 stations logged moderate air quality.

The department attributed the rise to “moderate to dense transboundary haze” moving from West Kalimantan into western Sarawak and from central and southern Sumatra. The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre had detected 287 hotspots in Kalimantan and 65 in Sumatra on Monday, alongside 11 hotspots inside Malaysia—eight in Sarawak, two in Johor and one in Selangor.

Malaysia activated its National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan earlier this month after Sarawak first reported unhealthy readings. Under the haze plan, outdoor activities must be suspended when the index exceeds 100. Schools, kindergartens and nurseries close immediately once it passes 200, while cloud seeding is triggered after 150 for more than 24 hours.

Authorities have stepped up enforcement and daily patrols to prevent open burning. The Environment Department also urged landowners to secure sites such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations and agricultural or industrial zones against trespass and accidental or deliberate burning.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry had seen a sharp increase in asthma and upper respiratory infections as haze conditions spread. Sarawak authorities had already shut 591 schools for two days across 10 districts as conditions worsened.

For Malaysian businesses, haze-related disruptions to outdoor work, logistics and school closures add near-term costs and operational uncertainty.

Related: Kuala Lumpur