GEORGE TOWN, Aug 26 — The Penang Education Department (JPNPP) has directed all District Education Offices (PPD) and schools in the state to step up preparedness for the care, welfare and safety of students and education personnel during haze conditions.

JPNPP said it is monitoring haze developments and Air Pollutant Index (API) readings across the state, while schools have been told to monitor the readings continuously and remain alert to the latest warnings.

“All outdoor activities must be stopped when the API reading exceeds 100, while schools must be closed immediately when the reading exceeds 200. If the API reading exceeds 500, teachers and members of the implementing group do not need to report to school, subject to the prevailing regulations,” it said in a statement last night.

JPNPP also instructed schools to ensure sufficient drinking water supplies, encourage students to drink enough water and reduce exposure to outdoor air.

It said special attention should be given to students with health problems or those showing symptoms of illness, while the use of face masks among students and school staff is encouraged where appropriate.

“Schools must also report developments and measures taken to the PPD and JPNPP to facilitate monitoring and coordination of action at the state level,” it said.

Minden, Seberang Perai and Balik Pulau were among 29 areas nationwide that recorded unhealthy API readings as of 2 pm today, according to the Department of Environment (DOE). — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 25 — The Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) is determined to retain its Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (Heavy USAR) classification under the United Nations (UN) as a special “gift” to Malaysia in conjunction with the 69th National Day celebrations.

SMART Team Commander PgKB I Abdul Manaf Che Isa said the country’s elite rescue team is scheduled to undergo the INSARAG External Reclassification (IER) assessment from Sept 20 to 24 to retain the classification, which it first obtained in 2016.

The official reassessment process will be conducted after confirmation from the INSARAG Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, while the team’s final technical preparations will begin on Sept 20.

Abdul Manaf expressed confidence in SMART’s level of preparedness after undergoing three large-scale pre-IER exercises, including one simulation last year and two this year.

“We are very confident because the mentor we appointed from Australia was very satisfied with the three large-scale exercises we conducted.

“We are ready to face the IER in September, and this will be a gift to the nation for this year’s National Day celebrations. Hopefully, we will succeed,” he told Bernama recently.

Abdul Manaf explained that Malaysia was the second country in Asia after Singapore to receive the prestigious classification from the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) in 2016.

He said the classification must be renewed every five years to ensure that the team’s capabilities and expertise continue to comply with international standards. However, the process had previously been rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said retaining the Heavy USAR status was crucial as it serves as recognition of SMART’s level of expertise, while also enabling the team to remain a key reference for countries in the Asian region in search and rescue operations and disaster management.

“Our expertise serves as a reference for countries in the Asian region in conducting operations and managing disasters in an orderly and systematic manner according to international norms and standards,” he said.

Abdul Manaf said the classification also enables SMART to be deployed as part of the international disaster assistance framework under the UN, demonstrating the country’s capabilities on par with other global rescue teams.

Among the key criteria for a Heavy USAR team is the ability to operate independently (self-sufficient) when deployed to disaster zones, including managing logistics, food supplies and communication systems, as well as establishing a base of operations without placing a burden on the affected country.

“It is not merely about saving lives and property; we are capable of operating without any assistance. That is what is very important about this classification for a country,” he said.

On its participation in the National Day celebrations on Aug 31, he said about 100 SMART members and personnel would take part in the parade at Dataran Putrajaya to showcase their readiness to the public.

The participation will also include an exhibition of the team’s strategic assets, comprising two heavy vehicles and four Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs).

The 2026 National Day celebrations will be held at Dataran Putrajaya on Aug 31, with the theme Malaysia Madani: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR — Indonesia has imposed administrative sanctions on six forestry concession holders for the burning of more than 1,500 ha of land under their management across Kalimantan.

This follows investigations by Indonesian authorities to tackle forest and land fires which are contributing to transboundary haze.

Forestry Ministry Forestry Supervision, Administrative Sanctions and Civil Enforcement Director Ardi Risman said the action was taken against four companies — PT WEL, PT FI, PT MPK and PT WSP —  operating in West Kalimantan, PT NES in Central Kalimantan and PT PSR in East Kalimantan, Bernama reports.

“The Government Coercive Measure requires the companies to fulfil the obligations that have been stipulated, ranging from improving fire-control systems to restoring affected areas within the specified timeframe,” he said according to Antara News Agency.

The business licence of one company in West Kalimantan had also been suspended because fires in its concession were extensive and recurring, while failure to comply with the required measures could result in stronger sanctions, including licence revocation, Ardi added.

Separately, Indonesia’s Environment Ministry is pursuing legal action against about 30 companies nationwide over forest and land fires this year, seeking nearly Rp15 trillion (approximately RM3.42 billion) in state-loss claims and environmental restoration costs.

In Malaysia, 30 areas across 10 states recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings this morning, as of 11am. 

Serian in Sarawak posted the highest reading at 180, nearing the very unhealthy threshold.

According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, Selangor was the most affected state, with six areas registering API readings above 100, including Johan Setia at 175.

Other areas in the state with unhealthy air quality readings were Shah Alam (162), Kuala Selangor (155), Klang (153), Petaling Jaya (152) and Banting (151).

Closer to Kalimantan, Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings in five areas, namely Serian District Police Headquarters (IPD) at 180, Sri Aman (170), Kuching (163), Samarahan (156) and Sarikei (152).

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and readings above 300 hazardous.

Satellite monitoring by Indonesian authorities as of 9pm on Monday detected 341 high-confidence hotspots across four Kalimantan provinces, comprising 129 in West Kalimantan, 107 in East Kalimantan, 85 in Central Kalimantan and 20 in South Kalimantan.

Another 641 medium-confidence hotspots it said were recorded across West, Central and South Kalimantan, with West Kalimantan accounting for 315, Central Kalimantan 219 and South Kalimantan 107.

Indonesian authorities have also authorised deployment of 36 foreign-registered helicopters and the issuing of 35 special permits to 11 domestic air operators for aerial firefighting to contain the fires. – August 25, 2026

JAKARTA: Indonesia mengenakan sekatan pentadbiran terhadap enam pemegang konsesi perhutanan selepas siasatan mendapati kebakaran memusnahkan lebih 1,500 hektar tanah di bawah pengurusan mereka di seluruh Kalimantan, ketika pihak berkuasa mempergiat usaha menangani kebakaran hutan dan tanah di pulau itu.

Pengarah Pengawasan, Pengenaan Sekatan Pentadbiran dan Hal Ehwal Sivil Perhutanan Kementerian Kehutanan, Ardi Risman berkata tindakan itu melibatkan empat syarikat – PT WEL, PT FI, PT MPK dan PT WSP – yang beroperasi di Kalimantan Barat, sementara dua lagi ialah PT NES di Kalimantan Tengah dan PT PSR di Kalimantan Timur.

"Tindakan penguatkuasaan kerajaan dikenakan terhadap syarikat berkenaan bagi memastikan mereka memenuhi kewajipan yang ditetapkan, daripada menambah baik sistem kawalan kebakaran hingga memulihkan kawasan terjejas dalam tempoh yang ditetapkan," katanya menurut Agensi Berita Antara pada Selasa.

Beliau berkata lesen perniagaan sebuah syarikat di Kalimantan Barat turut digantung kerana kebakaran di kawasan konsesinya berlaku secara meluas dan berulang, manakala kegagalan mematuhi tindakan yang ditetapkan boleh menyebabkan sekatan lebih tegas dikenakan, termasuk pembatalan lesen.

Kementerian Kehutanan dalam hantaran terbaharu di media sosial memaklumkan pemantauan satelit setakat 9 malam Isnin mengesan 341 titik panas berkeyakinan tinggi di empat wilayah Kalimantan, terdiri daripada 129 di Kalimantan Barat, 107 di Kalimantan Timur, 85 di Kalimantan Tengah dan 20 di Kalimantan Selatan.

Kementerian itu memaklumkan 641 lagi titik panas berkeyakinan sederhana direkodkan di Kalimantan Barat, Tengah dan Selatan, dengan Kalimantan Barat mencatatkan 315, Kalimantan Tengah 219 dan Kalimantan Selatan 107.

Pihak berkuasa Indonesia turut membenarkan pengerahan 36 helikopter yang berdaftar di luar negara dan pengeluaran 35 permit khas kepada 11 pengendali udara domestik bagi operasi pemadaman kebakaran dari udara untuk mengawal kebakaran berkenaan.

Dalam perkembangan berasingan, agensi berita itu pada Isnin melaporkan Kementerian Alam Sekitar sedang mengambil tindakan undang-undang terhadap kira-kira 30 syarikat di seluruh negara berhubung kebakaran hutan dan tanah tahun ini, dengan tuntutan hampir Rp15 trilion (kira-kira RM3.42 bilion) bagi kerugian negara dan kos pemulihan alam sekitar.