Indonesian Forest Fires Take a Toll on Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A noxious haze blamed on forest fires in Indonesia reached dangerous levels in Kuala Lumpur and nearby areas Wednesday, closing schools, grounding some flights and keeping residents indoors.
Environment Minister Adenan Satem said the haze, which appeared last week, is concentrated over the Klang Valley, home to Kuala Lumpur, the capital.
“The situation is not getting better. It is getting worse,” Adenan said, adding that he would travel to Indonesia for talks with officials in hopes of finding a solution.
Malaysia wants to send firefighters to Indonesia to help douse the flames, officials said.
The smoke is drifting from more than 300 forest fires on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which lies just west of the Malaysian mainland, separated by the narrow Strait of Malacca.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Wednesday telephoned Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and offered to dispatch firefighters and special disaster forces, an aide said.
Malaysia sent a team of firefighters during a similar crisis in 1997-98, which caused Singapore and large parts of Malaysia to be enveloped in haze.
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