KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Further government action, including the potential declaration of a disaster emergency after Serian recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading exceeding 500, will be discussed directly with the Sarawak state government, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar disclosed that he contacted Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday to discuss emergency response protocols and inter-agency coordination amid the deteriorating haze situation.
The Prime Minister assured that if a disaster emergency is formally declared, appropriate safety measures will be immediately instituted, including the temporary suspension of non-essential office and school operations, with exemptions reserved strictly for critical service agencies.
“We will take all necessary measures, whether cloud seeding or other actions, even though this (haze situation) is the result of developments elsewhere,” Anwar told reporters after performing Friday prayers at the Bukit Indah Mosque in Ampang Jaya. “We have to bear the consequences and be patient for a while. I pray for the safety of the people in Serian, across Sarawak and in other affected areas.”
Air quality in Serian remained at hazardous levels this morning, with the air monitoring station at the local District Police Headquarters (IPD) registering a critical API reading of 518.
According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), state capital Kuching also recorded hazardous air quality with an API reading of 310, while Samarahan (281) and Sri Aman (245) hovered in the “very unhealthy” range.
–NMT
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