ALL schools, kindergartens and nurseries in Batu Pahat have been ordered to close today after the Air Pollutant Index (API) in the district exceeded 200, as worsening haze pushed 35 areas nationwide into the unhealthy category.
Batu Pahat recorded an API reading of 191 at 8am today, the highest reading among areas nationwide in the unhealthy category, after reaching 203 at 8pm yesterday.
Batu Pahat District Officer and District Disaster Management Committee chairman Kamalludin Jamal said the closure was in line with the National Haze Action Plan and Education Ministry guidelines, under which measures to manage haze at schools are based on API readings and directives from the education authorities.
“Based on information reported on Oct 6, 2026, the API reading in Batu Pahat reached 203 at 8pm, which is classified as very unhealthy.
“As the API reading exceeded 200, schools, kindergartens and nurseries in Batu Pahat must be closed on Oct 7,” he said in a statement last night.
Following the closure, schools are required to implement Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) if directed by the Education Ministry, Johor Education Department or Batu Pahat District Education Office.
Schools must also inform parents and guardians through official channels about the method of implementing home-based learning, student assignments and communication channels.
Kamalludin said the district disaster management committee and relevant agencies would continue monitoring API readings.
“Any decision regarding the reopening of schools will be based on developments in air quality and official directives from the authorities,” he said.
As of 8am today, Batu Pahat's API reading had fallen below the very unhealthy threshold but remained at an unhealthy level.
Other unhealthy readings in Johor were recorded in Segamat at 177, Tangkak at 170, Kota Tinggi at 164 and Kluang at 161.
In Negeri Sembilan, Nilai recorded 181 and Port Dickson 169, while Bukit Rambai and Alor Gajah in Melaka recorded 176 and 173 respectively.
In Selangor, Johan Setia recorded 189, Shah Alam 180, Petaling Jaya and Banting 175 each, and Klang 169.
Other areas recording unhealthy readings were Cheras at 188, Putrajaya 186, Temerloh 168, Indera Mahkota 162 and Rompin 158 in Pahang, and Tanjung Malim 154 and Pegoh 107 in Perak.
Nationwide, 31 areas recorded moderate air quality while two areas recorded good air quality.
Under the API classification, readings of 0 to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are classified as hazardous.
Kamalludin urged the public to obtain verified information through official channels of the Department of Environment, Education Ministry, Johor Education Department, Batu Pahat District Education Office and Batu Pahat District Office, and not to circulate unverified information. - October 7, 2026
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