Story perspectives

Hazardous haze closes flights, disrupts learning across Southeast Asia

9/10/2026

Summary

Kurup Offers Aid

Indonesia’s forest and peat fires have produced toxic haze across Southeast Asia, creating a regional health crisis.
Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup offered aerial water-bombing, amphibious aircraft and cloud-seeding assistance to Indonesia.
Over 1.4 million Indonesian students shifted to online learning as schools closed because of hazardous air quality.
Central Kalimantan logged 2,459 hotspots, South Sumatra 1,445 and West Kalimantan 928 on Wednesday.

Summary

Ash Shuts Airport

Ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced the closure of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport until 6 p.m. Monday.
Around 150,000 passengers missed over 400 flights, prompting bus and train alternatives.
AirNav Indonesia shut seven airports and designated four as alternative hubs.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin activated emergency operations centres and urged mask and goggles use.
Home Affairs approved remote work for Jakarta civil servants; N95 shortages left commuters with standard masks.

History

Historical Context

In 1997 Indonesia’s slash-and-burn clearing ignited fires that scorched roughly 45,000 km², sending haze across Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei and prompting a Malaysian state of emergency. The disaster spurred the 2002 ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, yet similar peat-fire smoke returns each dry season, forcing renewed regional emergency responses and health measures.

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Kurup Offers Aid

Indonesia’s forest and peat fires have produced toxic haze across Southeast Asia, creating a regional health crisis.
Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup offered aerial water-bombing, amphibious aircraft and cloud-seeding assistance to Indonesia.
Over 1.4 million Indonesian students shifted to online learning as schools closed because of hazardous air quality.
Central Kalimantan logged 2,459 hotspots, South Sumatra 1,445 and West Kalimantan 928 on Wednesday.

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