KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — Eight areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 9 am today, comprising six in Sarawak and two in Peninsular Malaysia.

According to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, Sarikei in Sarawak recorded the highest reading at 161.

Other areas in Sarawak with unhealthy readings were Bintulu and Sri Aman, both at 157, followed by Samalaju (153), Sibu (151) and Miri (130).

In Peninsular Malaysia, Putrajaya recorded an API reading of 114, while another area also recorded an unhealthy reading of above 100.

Meanwhile, 51 areas recorded moderate API readings (51 to 100), and four areas recorded good air quality readings (below 50).

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

API data is released hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide. — Bernama

KUCHING, Aug 12 — Six schools in the Tebedu district have been ordered to temporarily close after the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading there exceeded 200 amid worsening haze conditions.

The Sarawak Education Department (JPNS) said the precautionary measure was taken in line with the Education Ministry’s (MOE) guidelines, with the safety, health and wellbeing of students and school staff given priority.

As of 10.30am today, the schools involved are SK Sejijag, with 51 students and 14 staff; SK Sungai Sameran (129 students, 21 staff); SK Tepoi (42 students, 15 staff); SK Entubuh (67 students, 18 staff); SK Temong (205 students, 21 staff); and SK Tema (85 students, 15 staff).

According to JPNS, these schools are under the administration of the Serian District Education Office (Serian PPD).

JPNS also reminded principals and headmasters that they do not need to wait for specific instructions from the PPD or JPNS to close schools when the API reading in their respective areas or districts exceeds 200.

“Under MOE Circular No. 1 of 2019 on measures to safeguard the health and safety of students in schools located in areas considered critical due to haze, all schools in areas or districts where the API exceeds 200 must be closed immediately.

“Principals and headmasters must act promptly based on the current API readings in their respective areas and do not need to wait for closure instructions from the PPD or JPNS.

JPNS said home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) would continue online during the temporary closure to ensure students’ learning was not disrupted.

The department added that schools have also been instructed to maintain communication with parents and guardians while giving due attention to the health and welfare of students throughout the closure.

Regarding the situation in Serian, whereby haze has also worsened, JPNS said the department through PPD Serian will continue monitoring API readings and air quality by obtaining updates from the authorities and relevant agencies.

Schools have also been reminded to closely monitor API readings in their respective areas and take appropriate action in accordance with MOE guidelines.

The department said the decision on the reopening of schools will take into account the latest API readings, prevailing conditions and directives or guidelines in force.

JPNS stressed that the safety and wellbeing of students and all education personnel remained its priority, adding that prompt and appropriate action based on established guidelines was necessary to minimise exposure to health risks caused by haze.

“Parents and guardians are urged to ensure their children remain safe and follow official updates issued by the schools, PPD Serian and JPNS.

“They are also advised not to rely on unofficial information or wait for additional instructions once a school had announced its closure based on an API reading exceeding 200,” added JPNS. — The Borneo Post

PETALING JAYA: Enam sekolah di Tebedu, Serian ditutup hari ini susulan bacaan indeks pencemaran udara (IPU) tidak sihat melebihi 200.

Jabatan Pendidikan Sarawak (JPNS) berkata, ia membabitkan Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sejijag, SK Sungai Sameran, SK Tepoi, SK Entubuh, SK Temong dan SK Tema, yang keseluruhannya mempunyai 579 murid serta 104 kakitangan.Bagaimanapun, sekolah ditutup hanya sementara, proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran di rumah (PdPR) tetap diteruskan.

Menurutnya, sebarang keputusan berkaitan pembukaan semula sekolah perlu mengambil kira perkembangan bacaan IPU dan arahan serta panduan ditetapkan.

“JPNS melalui Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD) Serian akan terus memantau perkembangan bacaan IPU dan kualiti udara dari semasa ke semasa dengan mendapatkan maklumat daripada pihak berkuasa serta agensi berkaitan.

“Pihak sekolah diingatkan sentiasa mengikuti perkembangan semasa bacaan IPU di kawasan masing-masing dan mengambil tindakan bersesuaian berdasarkan ketetapan Kementerian Pendidikan,” katanya dalam kenyataan.

JPNS turut mengingatkan sekolah yang berada dalam kawasan atau daerah mencatatkan bacaan IPU melebihi 200 supaya ditutup serta-merta, tanpa perlu menunggu arahan khusus daripada pihaknya atau PPD.

Menurut laman web Sistem Pengurusan IPU Jabatan Alam Sekitar, bacaan IPU 199 di IPD Serian yang tertinggi di seluruh negara, setakat 12 tengah hari tadi.

Kawasan lain di Sarawak yang turut mencatatkan kualiti udara tidak sihat termasuk Kuching (175), Samarahan (174), Sarikei (161), Sri Aman (158), Bintulu (156), Samalaju (153) dan Miri (152). –UTUSAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Air quality in Sarawak continues to deteriorate as transboundary haze from wildfires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, drifts into the state.

According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Serian recorded the highest Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 195 as at 9am today.

The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) also reported an increase in hotspots in West Kalimantan, south of Kuching, since Aug 10.

"Moderate to dense smoke plumes observed in many parts of Kalimantan were seen drifting northwards into western Sarawak.