PETALING JAYA: The National Security Council has advised Malaysians to reduce outdoor and sports activities in view of the current haze situation.
“As a precautionary measure, the public is advised to reduce outdoor, sports and recreational activities, drink more water and start using face masks, especially the high-risk groups.
“The public is also urged to cooperate with the authorities by not doing any open burning and report all open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department by calling 999 or the Department of Environment at 1-800-88-2727,” it said in a statement on Thursday evening.
The department held a meeting on Thursday with related agencies and ministries on measures taken to fight the haze.
“The Meteorological Department (MET) stated that the country is now at the final phase of the north-east monsoon,” it said.
The council said MET expects the weather to become more damp from the end of March or early April with the beginning of the inter-monsoon season.
The current haze, it said was cause by the open burning, forest fires, factory activities and the vehicle emissions.
As of 6pm on Thursday, the Air Pollutant Index recorded “very unhealthy” levels in Port Klang (241) while 13 other stations showed “unhealthy” readings especially in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Negri Sembilan.
The Department of Environment has activated its Open Burning Prevention Action Plan in all states.
The Fire and Rescue Department reported receiving over 500 calls a day on open burnings and forest fires.
The DOE, along with Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue (Smart), Malaysian Civil Defence Department, Rela and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency are working together to put out forest fires.
“Cloud seeding will be continued depending on the suitability of the weather conditions,” it added.
The Health Ministry, it said, was preparing a supply of medication, equipment and other assets at its hospital and clinics in anticipation of breathing-relation health problems due to the haze.
“The Education Ministry, through its Daily School Management division, will announce closure of schools in badly affected areas from time to time,” it said.
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