Kerajaan sedia isytihar darurat jika IPU lebih 400

Pahang's government is considering declaring a state of emergency due to air pollution levels exceeding 400 on the Index of Pollution (IPU) in several areas, according to Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Conservation Arthur Joseph Kurup. The IPU reading of 512 recorded in Serian, Sarawak on Friday is deemed very dangerous, prompting plans to implement emergency measures such as closing schools and wearing face masks.

At present, only Serian has recorded a hazardous level, while very unhealthy readings have been logged at weather stations in Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman. The emergency measures, which could remain in effect until the IPU drops to safer levels, include school closures and the mandatory use of face masks. The air quality scale in Malaysia ranges from 0 to 50 as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and over 300 as dangerous.

In Serian, the air quality reached its peak of 512 on Friday, but has since decreased to 304 by midday and 219 at night. Sarawak Education Department has closed 647 primary and secondary schools from September 7 to 11, with home-based learning conducted throughout that period. Kurup noted that smoke dispersal operations conducted yesterday in Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis showed positive results, with some areas receiving rain from late Friday night into early Saturday morning.

He also mentioned that Malaysia has received written confirmation from the Indonesian government to allow Malaysian aircraft to enter Indonesian airspace for smoke dispersal operations. The Asean Air Quality Monitoring Center reported the presence of light to moderate smoke in northern Borneo, as well as light to heavy smoke originating from multiple hotspots in Kalimantan and Sumatera.