KOTA KINABALU: The government should consider keeping schools in haze-hit areas to remain close until after Sept 16 as a health precaution, says Sabah’s Liberal Democratic Party supreme council member Peggy Liow.
She said that the continued unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Sabah and neighbouring Sarawak, as well as in other parts of the country, could pose higher health risks to students when schools reopen on Monday (Sept 7).
“Most of our schools place students in classrooms with no air-conditioning. In some urban schools, 50-plus students are crammed into classrooms meant for 30-40 students.
“The seriously bad haze means pollutants in the air get into the classrooms as well as in the school compounds,” said Liow in her Facebook post Saturday (Sept 5).
Liow, who had been pressing to close schools, said that the government should keep it closed until after Malaysia Day (Sept 16) not only to protect the children but to ensure the state’s medical system is not overwhelmed.
“Our hospitals and health system will struggle to cope if the number of people ill with respiratory problems rush for emergency treatment,” she said as major towns including Kota Kinabalu recorded unhealthy API readings of between 150 and 285.
“No need to wait until the API readings are above 200-300! Prevention is better than cure,” she added.
National Consumer Foundation of Malaysia (YPNM) Sabah chairman David Chan also raised similar concerns over the health worries among the people with the haze conditions, as it was not merely about the environment but public health and work.
“Prolonged exposure to unhealthy air can have serious effects, especially on children, the elderly, outdoor workers, and those vulnerable to respiratory and cardiovascular problems,” he said.
He said haze can also disrupt schooling, tourism, transportation, businesses, and various economic activities.
As of 4pm (Sept 5), Sabah southwest coast Kimanis station recorded 170 API; the two stations in Kota Kinabalu 157 and 156 (Politeknik Kota Kinabalu), while Labuan FT recorded 169 API.
East coast Sandakan and Tawau as well interior, recorded moderate air pollutant levels below 100 API.
