KUALA LUMPUR: All schools in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Putrajaya, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Tawau, Kuching and Samarahan have been ordered to close tomorrow (Monday) following the worsening haze situation.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid in his latest Facebook posting today said the ministry took the decision following the Air Pollutants Index (API) readings in the areas mentioned continuing to be on the uptrend.
He, however, said the the Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) and Kolej Vokasional examinations would continue as normal under ‘Ops Topeng’.
As of 6 pm today, two more areas, Tanjung Malim and Cheras recorded unhealthy quality, bringing to 16 the number of areas with air quality at this level.
According to the Department of Environment, the API reading for Tanjung Malim, Perak was 102 while for Cheras, Kuala Lumpur it was 105.
At 2pm, 14 areas recorded unhealthy APIs, namely Bandaraya Melaka (122) and Bukit Rambai (116), Melaka; Nilai (120), Port Dickson (111) and Seremban (121), Negeri Sembilan; Tawau (135), Sabah; Kuching (101) and Samarahan (110), Sarawak; Banting (124), Port Klang (116), Petaling Jaya (110) and Shah Alam (111), Selangor; Batu Muda (121), Kuala Lumpur; and Putrajaya (116).
An API of between 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (dangerous). The public can refer to the apims.doe.gov.my portal for the latest API readings. -- Bernama