Sabah activates disaster control centres as haze levels near 200

Sabah has activated state and district disaster operations centres in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Papar as haze readings approach 200 on the Air Pollutant Index. State Secretary Zainudin Aman, who chairs the state disaster management committee, said Chief Minister Hajiji Noor had been informed.

“

The action plan for each area is based on the National Haze Action Plan.

Readings recorded by 5 p.m. the previous day stood at 177 in Kota Kinabalu, 153 in Tawau, 165 in Keningau, 166 in Kimanis and Papar, and 153 at Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic. All were classified as unhealthy.

Zainudin said winds moving toward Sabah were contributing to the worsening readings, which could continue rising steadily as long as rain did not fall in Kalimantan. Under the national haze action plan, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Keningau, Kimanis and Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic were placed at Alert Level 1A.

“

For Alert Level 1A, the measures include stopping outdoor classroom activities, postponing co-curricular and sporting activities, informing the public about the Air Pollutant Index readings and precautionary measures.

Measures at that level include stopping outdoor classroom activities, postponing co-curricular and sporting events, informing the public about readings and precautions, and increasing enforcement and monitoring of industries and waste-disposal sites. A haze emergency or disaster declaration would only be made when the index reaches 500 or above. Zainudin also proposed cancelling or postponing official state activities at readings of 200 or higher, while recommending school closures and home learning in affected areas. Religious institutions were encouraged to hold appropriate prayers and activities.

“

The state government will also recommend that schools in areas recording an Air Pollutant Index of 200 or above be closed and that learning be conducted from home.