Haze issue to be addressed

IPOH: The latest in the haze situation and measures taken will be addressed in the Parliament sitting tomorrow, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister said there would also be debates over the matter.

“I will give my explanation when questions over the haze are brought up by MPs from both sides,” he told reporters after launching the Papan 2 Regional Sewage Treatment Plant (RSTP) near Pusing here yesterday.

Nik Nazmi said this after he was asked about the efforts taken to overcome the long-standing transboundary haze issue.

On Friday, he had said that Malaysia was still waiting for Indonesia’s response on its efforts to combat the transboundary haze that has affected Malaysia in recent weeks.

He had also said that the matter would be followed up immediately with Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar.

Siti Nurbaya had earlier reportedly denied that the haze in Malaysia was caused by Indonesia.

In GEORGE TOWN, schools in areas with Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of more than 200 can be closed immediately without waiting for the approval of the district education office (PPD).

Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying said all heads of schools were reminded to always monitor the API reading in their own areas through the Environment Department’s website.

“According to ministry guidelines on haze management, if the API reading exceeds 100, no outdoor activities can be carried out at schools, and if it exceeds 200, schools will be closed and learning must be done online.

“The school does not need to wait for approval but needs to inform the PPD,” she told Bernama after visiting Chew Jetty here yesterday.

She advised students to wear face masks while in school and to drink plenty of water.

Lim also advised parents to always check their children’s health and reduce outdoor activities if there is poor air quality.

Meanwhile, Penang youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said as of 9am yesterday, three of the four API reading stations in the state recorded very good air quality.