Malaysia · Country watch

School Closures in KL and Melaka; Budget 2027 Unveiled

Haze forces school closures in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, while the Bersama coalition unveils its Budget 2027 with significant fiscal changes.

Florent Kalfon · October 9, 2026 · 3 sources

The picture Deteriorating

Business conditions in Malaysia are deteriorating due to widespread school closures caused by haze, disrupting education, and the introduction of a 5% GST in Budget 2027, impacting retail and consumer sectors.

In this briefing Kuala Lumpur · Melaka · Datin Wan Nor Ashikin Abu Kassim · Selangor · Bersama coalition

Regulation

Nothing significant reported today.

Disruption

public-sector

KL and Melaka schools close due to unhealthy air quality

Schools in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka will close tomorrow due to unhealthy air quality levels, according to Kosmo! and Utusan Online. The Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department and the Melaka State Education Department announced the closures after Air Pollution Index (API) readings in Cheras, Batu Muda, and key areas in Melaka exceeded safe levels. Schools are instructed to implement remote learning to ensure educational continuity.

Impact Students and educators in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka face disruptions, with remote learning replacing in-person classes.

Sources: Kosmo! ↗, utusen Online ↗, Kosmo! ↗

public-sector

Selangor schools close due to persistent haze

Over 900 schools in Selangor will be closed from tomorrow due to persistent haze and unhealthy air quality, according to Utusan Online. The Selangor State Education Department, led by Director Datin Wan Nor Ashikin Abu Kassim, announced the closure, which affects both secondary and primary schools across all districts. The department will inform schools when they can reopen.

Impact Educational institutions in Selangor face operational disruptions, impacting over 900 schools and their students.

Sources: utusen Online ↗

Internal tension

Nothing significant reported today.

Safety & health

Nothing significant reported today.

Companies

Nothing significant reported today.

Markets

Nothing significant reported today.

Trade

Nothing significant reported today.

Politics

finance
public-sector

Bersama coalition unveils Budget 2027 with 5% GST

The Bersama coalition has unveiled its Budget 2027, which includes a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), targeted financial aid, and mandatory debt repayment measures, Malaysiakini reports. The budget aims to address fiscal challenges and improve economic efficiency. The introduction of GST marks a significant shift in Malaysia's tax policy, potentially affecting consumer prices and business operations.

Impact Retailers and consumers will be affected by the new 5% GST, altering pricing and purchasing dynamics.

Sources: Malaysiakini ↗

Also today in Malaysia

No new gambling licences, only regulating existing ones - MOF tells Kedah MP — Malaysiakini
Schools to close in five areas, including Selangor and Putrajaya — Malaysiakini
Guan Eng makes 11th-hour appeal for Anwar to ensure ‘last budget’ counts — Malaysiakini
Food safety amendments passed, MPs question if stronger enforcement can keep pace with 'viral' sales — Malaysiakini
Beberapa kawasan di ibu kota dilanda banjir kilat, pokok tumbang — Kosmo!
Sekolah tutup sebab jerebu, bukan tiket sesakkan jalan balik kampung — Kosmo!
Haze: Agong decrees school closures for areas with API above 150, Anwar reaches out to Prabowo — Malaysiakini
New N Sembilan excos? MB says ‘one at a time’; appoints village chiefs first — Malaysiakini

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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Regulation

Disruption

KL and Melaka schools close due to unhealthy air quality

Selangor schools close due to persistent haze

Internal tension

Safety & health

Companies

Markets

Trade

Politics

Bersama coalition unveils Budget 2027 with 5% GST

Also today in Malaysia

Sources in this briefing

The same day elsewhere