JOHOR BARU: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, has presented 73,000 face masks for distribution to district offices and police personnel in Johor amid the haze affecting the state.
According to a post on the Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook page, a total of 48,000 face masks were distributed to 10 district offices, with 4,800 masks allocated to each office, while another 25,000 were handed over to the Johor police contingent.
"This distribution is specifically for frontline workers serving outdoors due to the haze situation in Johor," the post said.
The handover ceremony was officiated by Johor State Secretary and Yayasan Raja Zarith Sofiah Negeri Johor (YRZSNJ) deputy chairman II Datuk Mohammed Ridha Abd Kadir, together with YRZSNJ chief executive officer Hishamuddin Abd Rahim.
Also present was Johor State Financial Officer and YRZSNJ honorary treasurer Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman.
The face masks for the police were received by Johor deputy police chief Deputy Comm Hoo Chuan Huat, while those for the district offices were received by the respective district officers.
DCP Hoo, representing the Johor police force, expressed his gratitude for the Queen's concern for the safety and health of frontline workers.
"These face masks will be distributed immediately to personnel on field duty, especially at the 13 district control centres (DCC) for haze statewide," he said.
A total of 26 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality as of 6pm Wednesday (Oct 14), with Johor remaining the state most affected by the haze.
Pasir Gudang recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 184, followed by Larkin (183), Pengerang (172), Kota Tinggi (167), Batu Pahat (162), Tangkak (158), Kluang (156) and Segamat (152). - Bernama
