Written by: Ahmed Abdel Salam
Malaysian authorities have decided to extend the closure of all schools and educational institutions in the southern state of Johor for an additional 5 days, starting Monday. This decision comes as air quality continues to decline, reaching unhealthy levels due to smog generated by forest fires in neighboring Indonesia.
Reasons for the extension decision and the deterioration of air quality
The extension decision followed a meeting of the state's haze management coordination committee, where monitoring reports showed that air pollution index readings remain at alarming levels without any notable improvement. Mohamed Naguib Mohamed Ghazali, chairman of the Johor State Education and Information Committee, explained that the extension decision remains linked to air quality developments, weather forecasts, and ongoing health assessments, with home-based teaching continuing throughout the closure period.
Preventive measures and health warnings
Authorities in Johor reaffirmed their commitment to making public health and citizen safety a top priority, and issued recommendations on the necessity of following comprehensive preventive measures, especially for children and vulnerable groups. Warnings emphasized the importance of wearing face masks and adhering to health guidelines to avoid the risks resulting from prolonged exposure to polluted air.
Impact of forest fires and climatic conditions
Johor state is considered one of the hardest hit areas, with eight of its air quality monitoring stations classified in the unhealthy category. Indonesia is facing its worst forest fires in 11 years, driven by the El Niño phenomenon which fuels the fires, leading to the spread of dense smog in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
