Jakarta, ThedailyID — Malaysia’s Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) says the chance of volcanic ash from the Anak Krakatau eruption reaching Malaysian airspace is very low, although the possibility remains.
MetMalaysia Director-General Hisham Anip said the agency continues to monitor the situation as concerns grow among Malaysian residents over the eruption in Indonesia.
“Information from the Global Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre also allows any potential movement of ash into Malaysian airspace to be identified and communicated to the public promptly,” Hisham said on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as quoted by Malay Mail.
“MetMalaysia will continue to monitor the situation using satellite data and atmospheric analysis,” he added.
The concerns come as wind direction around the eruption site has changed. Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau has already reached parts of Jakarta and West Java.
However, Hisham said hazy conditions currently affecting parts of Malaysia are not caused by Anak Krakatau ash.
Instead, the haze comes from smoke generated by forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
MetMalaysia said it would issue a warning if monitoring data indicates that volcanic ash could affect Malaysian airspace. The main concern is the potential impact on domestic and international flights.
“If the information we receive indicates a potential impact on Malaysian airspace, MetMalaysia will issue a volcanic ash threat warning or advisory to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), airline operators and airport operators,” Hisham said.
Volcanic eruptions affecting Malaysian airspace are monitored through the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The Anak Krakatau eruption in the Sunda Strait has continued since Friday, September 4, 2026. The eruption has disrupted aviation operations in parts of Indonesia, with several airports affected by volcanic ash.
The disruptions have also affected domestic and international routes connecting Jakarta with Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Seoul/Incheon, Doha and Amsterdam.
