State of emergency declared as Kuala Lumpur is engulfed by smog

A smoky haze blamed on Indonesian forest fires has triggered one of the country’s worst pollution levels in years.

YESTERDAY, A STATE of emergency was declared in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia after a haze of smog shrouded the city. According to the BBC, areas were shut down and people were urged to stay in doors.

Smog has become an annual problem in Malaysia, but this is the first time in eight years that a state of emergency has been called.

The Guardian state that the smoke travelled from the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where farmers are illegally burning forests. Schools in Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring Selangor and Malacca are closed for the day as Indonesian officials consider their response

Malaysia’s environment minister is to meet his Indonesian counterpart on Wednesday to discuss the problem.

TheStar.com reports that schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor will reopen tomorrow, while those in Klang to remain closed in view of the worsening haze there.

State of emergency declared as Kuala Lumpur is engulfed by smog

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Malaysia Southeast Asia Haze
Skylines are covered under thick haze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, June 24, 2013. Malaysian authorities declared a state of emergency Sunday in a southern district where a smoky haze blamed on Indonesian forest fires has triggered one of the country's worst pollution levels in years. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)
Malaysia Southeast Asia Haze
A taxi driver wearing a face mask waits for customer in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Malaysian authorities declared a state of emergency Sunday in a southern district where a smoky haze blamed on Indonesian forest fires has triggered one of the country's worst pollution levels in years. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)
Malaysia Southeast Asia Haze
Kuala Lumpur Tower is seen covered with haze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)
Malaysia Southeast Asia Haze
A tourist poses for a photo in front of Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers obscured in haze in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

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