School closures in haze, KPM goes back to the API 200 rule, what applies now

Schools will close when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 200, no longer 180. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said on Wednesday, 14 October, that her ministry has begun coordinating school operating procedures under the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK), so that closure decisions are made more systematically. It replaces the thresholds announced on 8 October. Here is what applies to your child today.

What changed

On 8 October, KPM said schools in areas with an API above 180 would close, as would areas above 150 for three consecutive days. The details are in Haze shuts schools in four states, KL and Putrajaya. Here are the new API rules.

Now, according to Fadhlina's Facebook post as reported by Bernama and Malay Mail, outdoor activities are postponed when the API exceeds 100 and schools close when it exceeds 200, in line with the PTJK. Free Malaysia Today reported that 200 is the standing policy used since 2019, subject to confirmation by the district disaster management committee.

Fadhlina gave two reasons. API readings can change within a short time, and closing schools several days ahead can cost pupils learning time even after the air has recovered. She also said the ministry welcomed the National Disaster Management Agency's (NADMA) point that haze management must follow the PTJK.

Parents can keep children home

Fadhlina said parents worried about their child's health or safety may keep them at home, as long as they tell the school. The Selangor, Sarawak and Melaka state education departments said the same in their own statements and encouraged pupils to wear face masks.

Which schools open on Thursday

According to Bernama, MOE institutions in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Pahang reopen on Thursday, 15 October. Fadhlina had announced a day earlier that all schools in Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, plus several districts in Selangor, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak, would close on Wednesday.

• Pahang: schools in Pekan, Kuantan, Rompin, Temerloh, Maran, Bera and Bentong reopen.
• Melaka: reopening, pending confirmation of the latest API readings. Changes will be posted on the Melaka State Education Department's Facebook page.
• Sarawak: all schools operate as usual, the Sarawak Education Department said.
• Johor: not mentioned in the reopening reports. The state government had earlier extended closures to 16 October, so check the Johor State Education Department's notices. Details are in Johor schools closed until 16 October due to haze.

The air is still unhealthy

The reopening comes as air quality worsens. Malay Mail reported that Department of Environment (DOE) data at 9.30am on Thursday showed 34 of 68 stations at unhealthy levels (101 to 200), up from 28 on Wednesday afternoon. No station recorded good air.

Johan Setia in Selangor logged 192 and Klang 191. Larkin in Johor and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan each logged 187, and Bukit Rambai in Melaka 184. No station went above 200.

What you can do

• Check your area's API on the DOE's APIMS portal before sending your child to school.
• Follow your school's and state education department's official posts. Decisions can change on the same day.
• If your child stays home, tell the school.
• Health authorities urge high-risk people, including those with chronic respiratory conditions, to wear masks outdoors.

What's next

KPM says the coordination of procedures is continuing. The Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to discuss the haze's impact on public health today. Malaysia and Indonesia have also begun talks on joint action against forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said.

Sources

• Free Malaysia Today, Schools close when API reaches 200, ministry goes back to existing haze policy, 14 October 2026
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Haze: Education Ministry coordinating school operating procedures under new action plan, 14 October 2026
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Haze: Schools in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang to reopen tomorrow, 14 October 2026
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Sarawak Education Dept: Schools open tomorrow, outdoor activities halted if API tops 100, 14 October 2026
• Malay Mail, Choking haze sweeps Malaysia: 34 stations unhealthy, zero stations record good air, 15 October 2026
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Malaysia, Indonesia begin talks on joint action against forest fires causing haze, 14 October 2026