Haze worsens with 37 areas recording unhealthy API levels

PUTRAJAYA, October 9 — All schools within the Education Ministry's jurisdiction in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya and Selangor have been ordered to close their doors due to the deteriorating haze. This decision aligns with the directives from His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and the concerns raised for the welfare and well-being of students.

The closure stems from the Air Pollution Index (API) readings, which were recorded at 5pm yesterday and stood at unhealthy levels, according to the Putrajaya Education Department. In Shah Alam, Selangor, Datin Wan Nor Ashikin Abu Kassim, the state education director, has announced that all MOE educational institutions in the state will remain closed tomorrow.

Simultaneously, Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad, director of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department, announced that all state religious schools under her department will also be closed, urging private religious schools registered with the department to follow suit. In Pahang, the state education department has issued a statement requesting that all educational institutions in the Rompin district close their doors tomorrow.

The department emphasizes the need for these institutions to continuously monitor API readings and adhere to guidelines from the MOE, the Environmental Department, and the Health Ministry. Consequently, affected educational institutions are expected to shift to home-based learning to ensure the uninterrupted pursuit of education, considering the diverse needs and capabilities of students and the readiness of teachers.

Teachers and implementors are permitted to work from home as long as the closure is in place, while parents are advised to rely on information from official sources. As of 3pm yesterday, 38 areas across Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy API readings. The highest reading was 190 in Segamat, Johor, followed by 186 in Seremban and 185 in Nilai, both in Negeri Sembilan, with Rompin in Pahang and Johan Setia in Selangor also recording readings of 178.