Penang may advise schools to suspend outdoor activities if air quality worsens, says CM

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 13 — The Penang government may advise schools to suspend or postpone outdoor activities if air quality in the state worsens, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.

He said Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in Penang remained at moderate levels for now, but the state government was closely monitoring the situation.

“Any further action will depend on the API readings and how the current situation develops.

“At the moment, the readings are still moderate. If they reach more critical levels, I think advice will have to be issued to halt or postpone certain activities,” he told reporters after officiating the R.A.C.E to Zero Penang edition event here.

Chow was responding to questions over Penang’s API readings, which had approached the 100 mark earlier this morning.

He said postponing outdoor activities at schools was among the measures that could be considered should air pollution worsen.

“Some schools may have to postpone outdoor activities and so on. We will deal with that when it reaches that level,” he said.

Chow said the state government was receiving updates from the state secretary and the Department of Environment (DoE) on air quality conditions.

“I will issue a statement later. It is too complex for me to explain now.

“So, we have asked our office to issue a statement regarding the API readings in Penang,” he said.

As of 9am today, air quality in 11 areas across the country was at unhealthy levels, with Sarawak recording the most affected areas, according to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).

Hot weather across the region since last week have contributed to forest fires in Indonesia, where more than 107,000 hectares have reportedly been affected so far, about twice the area previously recorded.