Kuala lumpur: The government is ready to propose declaring an emergency for any area that records an Air Pollution Index (API) reading of more than 400, in line with the standard operating procedure for haze management in the country. Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup stated that this measure could be considered if the API reading reached a very dangerous level, as witnessed in Serian, Sarawak, which recorded a reading exceeding 500, prompting the declaration of an emergency.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, only three of the 68 API monitoring stations nationwide have recorded very unhealthy readings thus far, specifically in Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman in Sarawak, while Serian has recorded readings at a dangerous level. The declaration of emergency would remain in effect until the API readings drop to a safer level, with safety measures such as school closures and mandatory face masks being implemented during this period.
Reports yesterday indicated that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim declared an emergency across the entire Serian Division in Sarawak due to the haze conditions, which had reached hazardous levels for public health and safety. The Prime Minister's Office announced that the decision followed the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and other relevant agencies regarding the air quality in the area.
In related developments, Arthur mentioned that the cloud seeding operation conducted yesterday in Sarawak and the northern peninsula, including in Kedah and Perlis, yielded positive results, with several areas experiencing rain from yesterday evening until early this morning. Malaysia has also secured written permission from the Indonesian Government to allow its air assets to enter the republic's airspace for cloud seeding operations. "We have carried out cloud seeding operations in Sarawak, and sometimes our air assets need to cross the border to 'shoot' at the clouds, and the wind will bring the clouds to our country," he explained.
Additionally, Arthur noted that Malaysia had offered assets and manpower to assist in extinguishing the open fires currently occurring in Indonesia, although there has been no official request from the republic in this regard.