On Oct 8, 2026, Kuala Lumpur ranked as the most polluted major city in the world, Swiss air quality monitor IQAir reported. The haze from Indonesian fires that has blanketed Malaysia in recent months triggered a 259% increase in asthma cases in August.
How is it that after so many years we are still dealing with the haze? Transboundary haze was reported as far back as 1972. I wrote about it 30 years ago as a young journalist. We know the root cause – cheap slash-and-burn land clearing for agriculture, primarily oil palm. We also know peat fires generate the vast majority of haze, so peatlands need protection.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
