2026 Southeast Asian haze

2026 Southeast Asian haze
Duration
Location
Outcome
  • School and education institution closures in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia
  • Cancellation of all outdoor events and outdoor activities in Malaysia and Indonesia
  • Large-scale cloud seeding operations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei
  • Sarawak - Australia joint agreements on handling the recurring transboundary haze crisis and completely stop the illegal open fire burning and illegal deforestation activities in Sarawak
  • Sarawak - Germany joint agreements on managing the people's health matter, transboundary haze preventions, and implementation of modern engineering technologies and innovations that capable to completely preventing air pollution situations in Sarawak
Arrests72 people
Suspects72 people
Accused72 people has been accused for allegedly starting illegal forest and land fires

2026 Southeast Asian haze crisis (also known as Karhutla 2026[a]) is a large air pollution crisis and the current continuous transboundary haze season that affected several countries in Southeast Asia which is still ongoing since 1 August 2026, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

Background and causes

Affected countries

Indonesia

According to a report by CNN Indonesia, Pontianak recorded the worst air quality level in Indonesia on August 20, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 191 as of 6.56 a.m. local Indonesia time, placing it in the ‘Unhealthy’ category.

IQAir data cited in the report showed the concentration of PM2.5 fine particulate matter in Pontianak had reached 112 microgrammes per cubic metre, or 22.4 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s recommended standard. The haze affecting several areas in Pontianak was attributed partly to forest and land fires in surrounding districts, including Ketapang, Kubu Raya, Kayong Utara, and Landak, with winds carrying smoke towards the city.

Pontianak has also declared a forest and land fire emergency to strengthen firefighting efforts and coordination among agencies. Pontianak mayor, Edi Rusdi Kamtono, was cited as saying the city administration was coordinating with the West Kalimantan government, federal government, Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, and private sector to strengthen prevention efforts and address the health impact of the haze. He also said that haze had been blanketing Pontianak particularly during the morning and evening.

As of August 10, CNN Indonesia also reported that more than 4,041 hotspots had been detected across West Kalimantan, including 3,560 classified as moderate-level hotspots and 352 as high-level hotspots. Besides Pontianak, several other areas in Indonesia also recorded ‘Unhealthy’ air quality. They included South Tangerang in Banten with an AQI of 176, followed by Bandung in West Java (167), Jakarta (166), and Serpong (165). Indonesian government advised all resident in affected areas to avoid outdoor activities, keep windows closed to prevent polluted air from entering homes, and wear masks when going outdoors. The worsening conditions in West Kalimantan are being closely watched from Sarawak, given the proximity of the two regions and the potential for haze to be carried across the border by prevailing winds.[1]

Malaysia

On August 21, Sarawak continue to experience the second wave of transboundary haze season, with Serian surging the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading in Sarawak at 242, as of 6 a.m. this morning, which is placing the area as "Very Unhealthy" category. Based on the recent data from Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), eight other areas in Sarawak record the unhealthy air quality, underscoring the widening impact of the transboundary haze. These affected areas were Sri Aman at 189, Kuching at 188, Samarahan at 180, Sarikei at 172, Sibu at 156, Bintulu at 153, Kapit at 107, and Samalaju at 36.

The deteriorating air quality in Sarawak has prompted the closure of all 591 schools under 10 district education offices across Sarawak starting yesterday (August 20), amid growing concerns over the impact of the transboundary haze on pupils and students. Sarawak Education Department said in a statement yesterday that the closures involved 509 primary schools with a combined enrolment of 107,590 pupils, as well as 82 secondary schools involving 89,733 students.

The affected schools fall under the Kuching, Padawan, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Serian, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu and Betong district education offices.

The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS) said close monitoring of weather conditions, air quality, hotspots, the risk of forest and peatland fires, and the status of the state's water supply was continuing in coordination with relevant agencies. The intensified monitoring reflects growing concern over the wider environmental and public health risks posed by the worsening haze, particularly in areas close to the Indonesian border.[2]

On August 29, Serian record hazardous air quality (302).

Impacts

Responses

As Malaysia and Singapore requested Indonesia to immediately conduct firefighting operations, DPR RI member Marwan Dasopang (PKB-North Sumatra II) has instead criticize both countries for not contributing because there were Malaysian and Singaporean palm oil companies operating and told both countries to "not just protest".[3]

Former Governor of Jakarta and 2024 presidential candidate Anies Baswedan teased the government of Indonesia as fires spread into neighbouring countries. As previously during the campaign, Anies debated that "the wind doesn't have an ID card' when asked about air pollution in Jakarta to which he was ridiculed by Prabowo Subianto. As condition became worse, Anies' words were vindicated[4] and he fired another statement, "the wind doesn't have a passport".[5]

Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah jointly agreed to bring up the issue towards ASEAN.[6]

Solutions and preventions

Consequences

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Acronym for Kebakaran Hutan dan Lahan

References

  1. ↑ Raging forest, land fires in West Kalimantan expected to prolong haze in Sarawak
  2. ↑ Sarawak haze crisis deepens as Serian air pollution hits very unhealthy level
  3. ↑ detikcom, Tim. "Sentilan Anggota Dewan ke Malaysia dan Singapura soal Karhutla di RI". detiknews (in Indonesian). Retrieved 24 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "Pakar: Kabut Asap Lintas Negara Buktikan Konteks Ucapan Anies "Angin Tak Punya KTP" Selama Ini Benar". KBA News. 23 August 2026.
  5. ↑ @insidefolkative (22 August 2026). "Ucapan Anies Baswedan soal "angin tidak punya KTP" kembali ramai di tengah kabut asap karhutla Kalimantan yang dilaporkan hingga ke Sarawak, Malaysia" (Tweet). Retrieved 24 August 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  6. ↑ Lainufar, Inas Rifqia (24 August 2026). "Malaysia dan Brunei Mau Bawa Masalah Kabut Asap Kalimantan ke ASEAN". Kompas.
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