Penang: The Penang government will closely monitor the haze situation ahead of the state-level National Day celebration on Aug 31, with the possibility of the parade being cancelled if the Air Pollution Index (API) reading reaches 200 and above. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this was among the state government's concerns as the parade will be held in an open area at Padang Kota Lama.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chow emphasized that if the API reading reaches 200 and above, it may be better not to proceed. However, there are still a few more days left, and the situation will be closely monitored. He mentioned that the state government had yet to make a decision on the matter, adding that appropriate action would be taken if the haze situation continued to worsen.

Chow also noted the challenges of relocating the event to an indoor location, pointing out that even if it were moved to a stadium, it would still be out in the open. Meanwhile, state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen reported no increase in respiratory-related cases linked to the haze in Penang so far.

Gooi stated that the Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) informed him this morning that the situation remained under control, although monitoring was ongoing. Regarding schools, Gooi mentioned that the State Education Department has existing guidelines, including monitoring API readings in the morning and evening daily, to determine necessary measures.

He added that one of the measures that could be implemented if the API reading reached 200 or above was to suspend physical classes and switch to home-based learning.