The haze in Malaysia seems to be going from bad to worse.
Selangor Education Department deputy director Muhammad Radzi Abdullah has advised Selangor school authorities “to use the circular (issued by the Education Ministry) as a precautionary guideline to safeguard the wellbeing of students, in view of the haze situation“.
The circular states that all out-of-classroom or outdoor activities in school are required to stop when the Air Pollution Index (API) level hits 100 and above. This category is already deemed unhealthy.
When the API increases to 200 (very unhealthy), schools in the affected area or district have to be shut down. If the API ever reaches 500 and beyond, it’s a critical stage. “So far, no schools in Selangor have been closed due to the haze. The Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examination proceeded as normal today and there were no disruptions,” Radzi was quoted as saying.
As of today (11th September), the Air Pollution Index Malaysia (APIMS) announced that 5 areas in Selangor has already reached an unhealthy stage. They include:
- Kuala Selangor at 133
- Johan Setia at 183
- Banting at 133
- Shah Alam at 145
- Petaling Jaya at 142
So far, Rompin, Pahang has suffered the worst air pollution – hitting 224 API (at time of writing). As a result, schools in Rompin might be close tomorrow. 6 Chung Hwa primary schools in Kuching, Sarawak have already announced their closure due to the bad condition.
Do stay safe and avoid going outdoors without a face mask guys.
