Fitness groups in Malaysia are increasingly utilizing the climate-controlled environments of shopping malls to continue their training regimens. This trend follows a significant decline in air quality caused by smoke drifting from forest and peatland fires across Southeast Asia. As outdoor exercise becomes hazardous, runners have begun using mall corridors as a temporary alternative to parks and city streets.

Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding districts are currently experiencing the most severe impacts of the pollution. The air quality has reached levels that health authorities advise against for outdoor physical activity. While the move to malls provides a safer environment for exercise, it highlights the broader regional challenge of managing the recurring haze, which frequently disrupts daily life and public health in the region. The situation remains fluid as authorities monitor air quality indices to determine when it might be safe for residents to return to outdoor activities.