08/09/2026

TUESDAY | SEPT 8, 2026

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Volcanic eruptions leave Malaysian bikers stranded

o Five-couple convoy among thousands of travellers affected after ash from Anak Krakatau forces closure of several Indonesian airports

disruption across Indonesia’s aviation network caused by Anak Krakatau’s recent eruptions. Situated in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, the volcano has been erupting since late Friday, with its latest eruption recorded at 8.23pm on Sunday. As of Sept 6, volcanic ash had reached up to 15,000m on the Sumatra side and 6,000m on the Java side. Bernama reported that 31 Malaysia-Jakarta flights scheduled that day were cancelled, including 21 at KLIA and six in Penang. The Penang cancellations, involving AirAsia, TransNusa and Batik Air, affected about 1,000 passengers. Reuters reported yesterday that seven airports remained closed, with some 2,300 flights and about 270,000 passengers affected. Soekarno-Hatta’s closure was repeatedly extended and was scheduled to remain in force until 6pm Indonesian time. Another fellow traveller, Nazri Ridha Sarudin, 52, who also tagged along with his wife, said the uncertainty continued after the group’s flight was postponed by a day, only to be cancelled when the airport failed to reopen as anticipated. “We went to the airport and only then received official confirmation that the flight had been cancelled. After obtaining the refund, we focused on finding another way home through Surabaya. “We arranged the hotel ourselves, but we understand that this is a problem caused by Mother Nature,” said Nazri, who manages a mobile phone store in Kepala Batas, Penang. Nazri said the group did not contact the Malaysian embassy as its members were able to manage their arrangements independently. He added that they had travel insurance covering flight delays and cancellations and hoped to return to Malaysia by Thursday.

learn that operations had been suspended. Their evening flight was initially rescheduled to 9am on Monday, prompting them to book rooms near the airport. “When we returned to check-in the following morning, we were told that the airport was still closed. “We requested a refund and decided to leave Indonesia through Surabaya because the volcanic activity was not showing signs of subsiding. “We need to return to Malaysia because our leave has ended. We cannot tell how long the airport will remain closed.” Syamsul said the ash was not clearly visible around their hotel, although members of the group experienced throat discomfort and nasal irritation. Residents there advised them to wear masks while outdoors. With no certainty over when their flight could depart, the group decided against remaining near the airport and arranged an overnight train journey across Java instead. Each traveller paid about Rp900,000 (RM206) for a ticket, bringing the group’s total cost to approximately Rp9 million (RM2,060). They were scheduled to leave Jakarta at 11.33pm last night and arrive in Surabaya at about 8am today, before searching for available flights from Juanda International Airport to Kuala Lumpur, as they had been told the airport there remained fully operational. Syamsul’s wife, UiTM Arau lecturer Noraini Ismail, 54, was among those travelling with the group. They had arrived in Jakarta on Aug 29 for a self-organised reconnaissance ride through the Indonesian districts of Subang, Cirebon, Bandung and Puncak in Bogor, ahead of a future motorcycle programme organised under a group called Adventure Touring Motorsports. Their ordeal unfolded amid widespread

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: More than 270,000 passengers across Indonesia, including a group of Malaysian bikers, were caught up in mass flight cancellations after Anak Krakatau’s eruptions shut down eight airports. Malaysian traveller and Tenaga Nasional Berhad project supervisor Syamsul Kamal, 56, is among those stranded at Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport. Syamsul said some travellers arriving at their hotel were unable to secure rooms as cancelled and rescheduled flights left passengers scrambling for accommodation near the airport. “We were fortunate to book our rooms early. By the time we reached the hotel, it was full and other travellers who came looking for rooms could not check in. “There were many people at the airport, including some Malaysians and many Indonesians whose journeys were also disrupted,” he said when contacted yesterday. Syamsul was among five Malaysian couples scheduled to return on a Batik Air flight on Sunday after a nine-day motorcycle convoy across West Java. The group arrived at Soekarno-Hatta only to

Travellers advised to check flight status following disruptions JAKARTA: Malaysian travellers flying from or transiting through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta have been advised to regularly check their flight status following disruptions caused by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau. The Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta said the volcanic ash had forced the temporary closure of several airports and disrupted international flights, including services to and from Kuala Lumpur. “Malaysian visitors who have flights from or through CGK are advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines from time to time for information regarding flight rescheduling or alternative routes,” it said in an advisory yesterday. In its latest update, Indonesia’s Transport Ministry said Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and six other airports would remain temporarily closed until 8.59am local time on Monday due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau. The other airports are Radin Inten II in Lampung, Halim Perdanakusuma in Jakarta, Husein Sastranegara in Bandung, Budiarto in Tangerang, Pondok Cabe in South Tangerang and M. Taufik Kiemas in Lampung. The embassy also advised Malaysian visitors to keep abreast of developments and comply with instructions from local authorities, particularly regarding the spread of volcanic ash. The embassy can be contacted at +62 21 522 4947 during office hours and +62 813 8081 3036 after office hours. – Bernama The Sultan Hassanudin International airport is among the seven airports that have cancelled flights. – HIMANSHU BHATT/THESUN

Shamsul (centre) with his convoy members. – PIC COURTESY OF SHAMSUL KAMAL.

‘Parents may not send children to school amid haze concern’ KUALA LUMPUR: Parents may choose not to send their children to school if they are concerned about their health amid the haze currently affecting the country, said Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek. The health and safety of our children remain the priority in every action we take,” she said in a Facebook post yesterday.

“When the API reading exceeds 100, all outdoor activities would be suspended. When it exceeds 200, schools would be closed.” According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System portal yesterday morning, Samarahan, Sarawak was the only area to record a very unhealthy reading at 226. Meanwhile, 40 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy readings, while 24 recorded moderate readings. – Bernama

Fadhlina said the Education Ministry would continue to monitor Air Pollutant Index (API) readings issued by the Environment Department, as well as the latest situation, particularly in affected areas. She said any measures taken would be based on the National Haze Action Plan.

She said parents only need to inform the school if they decide to keep their children at home. “I understand parents’ concerns over the current haze situation. We hear those concerns.