In pictures: Malaysia haze

1 of 7 A thick haze cloaked parts of Malaysia on Wednesday, including the capital Kuala Lumpur, after smoke from forest and peat fires filled the air.

2 of 7 The top of the Petronas Towers, one of the world's tallest buildings, was almost invisible from the ground.

3 of 7 Many people wore masks or pressed handkerchiefs to their faces when outside. Officials said the pollution - the worst since 1998 - was already causing health problems.

4 of 7 The government bowed to public pressure and released previously secret figures on air quality, saying schools would be closed if the problem got worse.

5 of 7 Tourists, too, were affected. Famous landmarks almost disappeared in the haze.

6 of 7 Malaysia says hundreds of forest fires are raging on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, sending pollutants across the Malacca Strait and into Malaysia.

7 of 7 But the pollution levels are also due to fires closer to home. In recent weeks firemen have been battling against peat fires outside Kuala Lumpur.