2005 Malaysian haze

In August 2005, haze spread across Malaysia from forest fires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, leading to air quality reaching hazardous levels in certain states and the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian government declared states of emergency in affected regions, closed schools and held crisis talks with Indonesian officials.

[1] On 10 August 2005, air quality in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur was so poor that health officials advised citizens to stay at home with doors closed.

By 13 August 2005, air quality and visibility returned to normal in Kuala Lumpur, as the haze moved northwards to the states of Perlis, Kedah and Penang, according to the Department of Environment (JAS) API reading.

On 16 August, air quality throughout Malaysia had returned to normal according to JAS statistics[permanent dead link‍], as the haze was blown further northwards into Thailand.