KUALA LUMPUR: The Air Force will continue daily cloud seeding operations in skies above areas badly affected by haze until the environmental disaster fully subsides, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim announced today.
Shahidan, who also chairs the National Security Council (NSC), said the cloud seeding done 24 times since last Friday has thus far not solved the problem, calling for continued efforts daily to encourage rain through cloud seeding.
"This is cross border haze, which is caused by extensive burning in Indonesia, which affects us. What we have decided today is what we could all do best to help ease the situation in our country," said Shahidan after chairing the national disaster management committee meeting at his office today.
At the meeting, the committee was also briefed by the Department of Environment (DOE) on a new phenomenon in changes in the movement of wind that has further brought more haze to the country.
"This means that the haze is no longer coming in our direction only from Sumatera, but also from Kalimantan. The DOE have also forecasted through the reading of wind direction that on Friday we will have moderate levels of haze," said Shahidan, who added that all government agencies have been instructed to continuously monitor the situation.
"Agencies need to continuously monitor the situation and take the necessary steps, particularly the Education Ministry and related agencies. Monitoring should not only be based on official readings, but also on the physical state of the haze. Sometimes the air pollution index (API) readings may provide lower readings, but physically the area is struck with thick haze," he said.
Shahidan also said the council has also called upon state governments, their agencies and local governments in areas affected by haze to distribute face masks and mineral water to the public to help ease their burden.
"The NSC will be distributing these items in affected areas too, but we also call upon good Samaritans to come forward and help the public," said Shahidan.