Indonesia haze cost Malaysia US$1.97 billion in losses: study
Cross-border smoke from forest and peatland fires forced factories to shut, emptied classrooms and killed an estimated 1,700 people
The study, “The 2026 Fire Season and Transboundary Haze in Malaysia”, was conducted for the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), as reported by the Malay Mail. Drawing on satellite data, air-quality monitoring and atmospheric modelling, the assessment tracked the impact of prolonged haze from July 1 to October 22.
Short-term exposure to fine particles from the fires contributed to an estimated 1,700 premature deaths – with a 95 per cent uncertainty interval of 1,300 to 2,300 – the report found, noting the figures reflect statistical models rather than individually confirmed fatalities.
