Malaysia closes schools over poisonous smog

Malaysian authorities have ordered a two-day closure of most schools in the country to protect children from a thick, noxious smog caused by smoke from burning forests in Indonesia.

The smog has shrouded parts of Malaysia and Singapore for the past month, and has recently spread to Thailand.

Illegal land clearing fires in Indonesia are reportedly the cause of the smog, which has pushed air pollution to hazardous levels in neighbouring countries including Malaysia.

Indonesian fireman walk through a forest after extinguishing a fire. Credit: Reuters

Around 7,000 schools have been closed nationwide. Poor visibility forced several airports to be closed for hours on Sunday and a popular annual marathon in Kuala Lumpur was also cancelled.

Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi said Indonesia's efforts to crack down on the sources of open burning by farmers were not enough. The forest fires that cause the smog have been an annual occurrence since the late 1990s.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has announced stricter punishment for those engaged in open burning, but said his government would need three years to solve the problem. The offenders are mostly palm oil plantations, as well as pulp and paper companies.

Credit: Reuters