People in Johor urged to wear masks; haze to be discussed in Malaysia’s Parliament

JOHOR BAHRU – With several locations in Johor showing unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings due to the haze, the state’s Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon has urged the public to put on face masks.

The Yong Peng assemblyman, who is also chief of the Malaysian Chinese Association’s youth wing, said that five locations in the state had unhealthy API readings – Tangkak, Segamat, Batu Pahat, Larkin and Pasir Gudang.

“The air quality in three other locations – Kluang, Pengerang and Kota Tinggi – is still in the moderate range, but it could reach unhealthy levels as their API readings are almost 100,” he said when contacted on Sunday.

According to API readings calculated by the Department of Environment, a measurement of zero to 50 shows that the air quality is good; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and above 300, hazardous.

Mr Ling urged the public, especially those with respiratory health issues, to wear face masks when going out and reduce or stop outdoor activities for the time being. He also reminded people to drink plenty of water to avoid sore throats.

“In anticipation of an increase in haze-related illnesses, public hospitals in Johor are well-prepared to treat the people,” he said, adding that those who are feeling unwell should seek immediate medical treatment.

On Monday, eight locations in Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy API readings, with Cheras having the highest reading at 157 as at 10am. Other areas with unhealthy readings are Banting, Klang, Shah Alam, Johan Setia and Petaling Jaya in the state of Selangor, as well as Bukit Rambai in Melaka and Nilai in Negeri Sembilan.

Datuk Yahya Jaafar, chairman of Kumpulan Penggerak Ibu Bapa Komuniti Swasta Nasional, a parents’ group, urged parents to ensure their children wear face masks and bring water bottles to school as precautionary measures in the light of the haze.

He added that the group had recently taken part in a task force meeting with the Education Ministry that focused on present weather conditions.

“Due to the hot and hazy conditions that are affecting our children, the ministry will soon make an announcement to give authority to state education departments or principals to allow students to wear sports attire to school, instead of normal school uniforms. This is to make sure that the students feel comfortable while learning in their respective classrooms,” he said.

Businessman Mohd Zaki Supaid, 40, said his only child, a seven-year-old daughter, recently had a fever and flu.

“After (I brought) her to a nearby clinic, she is getting better now. But the weather has been hot the last few days, and now, with the haze, it is actually not good to go out.

“Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, I always make sure that my family wears face masks when we visit public areas,” he added.

Housewife V. Devi, 39, said it was very hazy on Saturday, causing itchiness in her eyes and dryness in her throat.

“The weather has been really hot the last few days, and I’m praying for some rain and strong winds to make the haze go away, so it will be cooler,” she added.

The latest in the haze situation and measures taken will be addressed in Monday’s Parliament sitting, said Malaysian Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Last 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, and that the matter would be followed up immediately with Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar.

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

In George Town, Penang, schools in areas with API readings of more than 200 may be closed immediately without waiting for approval from the district education office. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK