Indonesian Wildfires Spark Regional Haze Emergency

Wildfires on Indonesia’s islands of Sumatra and Borneo have intensified for weeks, sending toxic smoke across the South China Sea. The haze now blankets large parts of Southeast Asia, creating a public-health threat that officials say could become a regional crisis. In Malaysia, the capital Kuala Lumpur is experiencing heavy smoke from the Sumatra fires, while the eastern state of Sarawak, which borders the most fire-stricken provinces of Borneo, faces some of the worst air quality in the country.

New York Times

In response, Malaysia’s federal government declared a state of emergency in a Sarawak town, granting authorities expanded powers to address the deteriorating air conditions. The emergency follows a temporary shutdown of hundreds of schools in Sarawak last month, a measure taken after air-quality indices repeatedly exceeded safe thresholds. Local officials have urged residents to limit outdoor activities while the haze persists.

New York Times

The smog is already affecting daily life. Parents are keeping children at home, and schools remain closed in several districts. Geraldine Arulsamy, head of a local Montessori school, reported that children have become ill as the haze lingers. Fruit-stall worker Irfan Zulkarnain described a recent nosebleed and coughing fit that prompted a doctor’s visit; the physician attributed his symptoms to the haze and prescribed medication. Health workers warn that prolonged exposure could exacerbate respiratory conditions, especially among vulnerable populations.

New York Times

• “We can actually smell the poor air quality,” — Ms. Arulsamy — Ms. Arulsamy

New York Times