KUCHING: Activities and events scheduled to take place during the haze situation while the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading has not yet reached 500 are subject to the discretion of the organisers on whether to postpone or cancel them.

Sarawak Deputy Premier, who is also the Chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said that if the API reading reaches 500 and an emergency declaration is enforced, all activities must cease due to conditions that are extremely hazardous to health.

“When it is below that level, SDMC will offer advice on whether to postpone or cancel, and we leave that matter to the organizers.

“But when it reaches 500 and an emergency is declared, all activities must stop because the situation is very dangerous,” he said during a press conference regarding the haze situation at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, here on Monday.

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah expressed hope that organizers will take health risks into account when deciding whether to proceed with an activity during hazy conditions, especially for programmes involving senior citizens and vulnerable groups.

He noted that the government is not intentionally creating unnecessary difficulties, however organisers need to consider potential health risks, particularly involving senior citizens, vulnerable groups, and others. — UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photos: Ibanez Jeffery
Translator: Ryan Lim