GEORGE TOWN: Armed with bottles of water, a mother stood proudly by the roadside as her 10-year-old daughter and her schoolmates marched through the haze during the full-dress rehearsal for Penang’s state-level National Day parade.
Housewife MF Chin, 43, was there to support the children, who had been preparing for the Aug 31 celebrations for the past three months.
“I am here helping her and her friends carry water bottles so they can hydrate after the march,” she said yesterday.
Chin said the school had advised the pupils to drink more water to stay healthy.
The haze was a major concern, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) in the city reaching 160 as thousands of participants gathered at Padang Kota Lama, many wearing face masks.
SM Bagan Jaya teacher S. Vasnavi said the school had prepared two carts of bottled water, first aid kits and other supplies for its Bagan Jaya Wind Orchestra students.
“Since the haze worsened, we have been training indoors to protect the students’ health. We encouraged them to wear face masks.”
Vasnavi said the school would abide by the authorities’ decision should the parade be called off if the API reached the very unhealthy level.
Despite the poor air quality and light rain before 10am, participants pressed on with the rehearsal, featuring 125 marching contingents and 29 vehicle contingents.
A total of 9,059 participants are taking part in the parade.
Penang Social Welfare Department contingent head Farah Rusilah Muhamad Darus said her 75-member team had been training for the past month and was looking forward to the celebration. Five persons with disabilities are also taking part.
She said all members remain in good health.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had earlier said the state could call off tomorrow’s parade if the API reaches 200 or above.
