KUCHING: All nurseries (Taska) in Sarawak have been ordered to close immediately should the Air Pollutant Index (API) reach 200, in line with the ruling of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

Minister for Women, Family and Community Wellbeing Development and Member of Parliament for Santubong, Dato Sri Nancy Shukri, said the ruling is aimed at ensuring children are not exposed to health risks caused by the haze.

A Taska most commonly refers to a childcare centre or nursery, it caters to infants and toddlers from birth up to four years old.

She said the directive is a comprehensive state-level ruling and does not require her ministry to issue a separate directive, in order to avoid confusion.

"It's not just us — it's comprehensive. We don't need to issue another directive that would confuse people. The directive for the state is sufficient," she said.

She said this when met by the media after officiating the Santubong Parliamentary Constituency's Class B2 Driving Licence Assistance Programme Presentation Ceremony, here, on Saturday.

According to her, any arrangements concerning working parents following the closure of nurseries need to be coordinated in accordance with directives from the Sarawak Government. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ezzah Syafiqah
Photos: Daniel
Translator: Uilson Ng