GEORGE TOWN, Sept 14 – State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh who is chairman of the State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee said the Penang government is to collaborate with the Education Ministry and get schools to close if the air pollutant index reaches 140.
“The state government worked closely with the ministry to monitor the haze. We are in constant contact with the ministry in monitoring the haze in Penang. We communicate with the ministry on any joint action, In the same time, the ministry’s instruction is for schools to close if the API reading touches 200 and to cease all activities outside the classroom when the reading hits 150,” he said. The haze in several areas in Penang worsened today, with the air quality at the unhealthy level.
The website of the Department of Environment stated the API for Universiti Sains Malaysia as having risen from 120 at noon to 137 at 4 pm, and the reading for Seberang Jaya as having gone up from 116 at noon to 138 at 4 pm. The reading at Perai was 96 at noon and went up to 115 at 4 pm. An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy and 300 and above, hazardous.
“The state government would issue a notice to the schools to be always prepared and act immediately if the haze worsened. Meanwhile, I also would like to advised the people to cut down on their outdoor activities and cease open burning,” said State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh.
