Putrajaya urges parents, childcare operators to discuss contingencies before haze closures hit

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 9 — Childcare centre operators and parents should consult closely now to establish the most practical care arrangements for young children as the nationwide haze worsens, the Social Welfare Department (JKM) advised today.

In an advisory issued through JKM, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) said that centres capable of operating should tailor their services to local air quality conditions and the individual needs of families.

“While conditions still permit childcare centres to operate, JKM encourages operators and parents to discuss and determine the most suitable childcare arrangements based on local conditions, family needs and the best interests of their respective children.

“This approach is important to ensure that children’s welfare continues to be protected without neglecting parents’ needs, particularly those who are working,” the ministry said.

Mandatory cessation of outdoor activities

The ministry directed all registered childcare operators to immediately halt outdoor activities to minimize children's exposure to hazardous airborne particulates, while maintaining clean and well-ventilated indoor spaces.

KPWKM noted that it is monitoring the situation with utmost seriousness, cautioning that infants and young children face significantly higher vulnerability to respiratory distress caused by severe particulate pollution.

The ministry stressed that any administrative decision to adjust centre operating hours or suspend services must align strictly with local Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, the National Haze Action Plan, and instructions issued by relevant authorities.

Both operators and parents were urged to monitor official hourly API updates through the Department of Environment (DOE) and adhere to health advisories published by the Ministry of Health.

The ministry stressed that child safety must remain the primary benchmark in all operational decisions, highlighting clear, continuous communication between centre staff and parents as vital during this environmental crisis.

Escalating haze triggers widespread shutdowns

The welfare advisory comes as air quality across Malaysia deteriorated sharply this afternoon, with nine monitoring stations breaching the critical 180 API mark as of 2.13pm.

Seremban registered the country's worst reading at 189, while 37 out of 68 national monitoring stations hovered in the unhealthy bracket.

The worsening smoke canopy has already triggered extensive educational shutdowns, with Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek confirming that all primary and secondary schools across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, and the Rompin district in Pahang are closed today.