Dr M Is Writing A Letter To Indonesia After API Readings Force School Closures Nationwide
API readings have registered as 'very unhealthy' in Selangor and Pahang.
By May Vin Ang — 13 Sep 2019, 02:11 PM
A total of 29 schools in Selangor have been ordered to close today after Air Pollutant Index (API) readings escalated yesterday, 12 September
The Selangor Education Department has issued a directive to close 24 schools in Klang and five schools in Kuala Langat based on the concerning API readings yesterday morning, according to the The New Straits Times.
This closure will affect a total of 45,265 students.
The schools were ordered to close today after the API reading at the Johan Setia station registered a reading of 'very unhealthy'.
According to the Department of Environment's (DOE) website, the API readings at 7pm yesterday were 189 in Johan Setia, 116 in Klang, and 111 in Banting.
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above is deemed hazardous.
The Selangor Education Department reminded schools to close immediately if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at its area goes over 200, in line with the recent announcement by the Ministry of Education.
Meanwhile in Pahang, the State Education, Islamic Affairs, and Health Committee chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad said poor air quality has forced 16 schools in Rompin to close
According to The Star Online, he said that if the situation worsens, it might affect those sitting for the Form Three Assessment (PT3).
PT3 candidates are now undergoing the English oral assessment, which began last week on 2 September and will end today, 13 September. The written examination will be on 1 October.
Syed Ibrahim also urged Muslims in Pahang to hold solat hajat (special prayers) for the rain to reduce the haze.
With the worsening situation over the last few days, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has decided to send an official letter to Indonesian President Joko Widodo to raise his concern of the cross-border haze
As reported by Free Malaysia Today, Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said she has spoken to the Prime Minister regarding the matter.
"I have discussed this with the prime minister and he has agreed to write a letter to President Jokowi to draw his attention towards the issue of trans-boundary haze," Yeo told reporters, referring to Indonesian President Joko Widodo by his nickname.
"Mahathir's office is preparing the letter and it would be delivered soon," Yeo said.
