All areas with API readings of 300 or more should be under a State of Emergency

Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak should not share Natural Resources and Environment Minister G. Palanivel's lackadaisical and irresponsible attitude in handling the haze crisis by announcing an emergency status in Muar and Ledang, not when the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings reached 300, but only after it reached 746 on 23.6.2013. What is shocking is that Palanivel was more concerned about completing the panda house than dealing immediately with the haze crisis.

The Department of Environment states that an API reading of more than 300 is hazardous to health. All areas with API readings of 300 or more should be under a state of emergency and not wait until it exceeds 700. In other words Melaka should also be under a state of emergency as the API reading there is above 300.

Many are already falling sick in Johor, Selangor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan. All school principals in areas with API above 100 should be given the full discretion to decide whether to close schools whilst automatic closure of schools should be implemented when the API reaches 150.

Even though the haze situation in Penang is presently under control, I have directed both the State Secretary Dato Farizan bin Darus and Penang State EXCO for Environment to replenish stock of face masks, especially N95 version. The problem is the N95 industrial face masks needed when the API reaches hazardous levels, is out of stock as the Singapore government is pro-active and bought up 1 million N95 masks to be distributed free to its citizens.

Such irresponsible and lackadaisical attitude by the Federal government has caused Malaysians to lose out once again to Singaporeans. Najib had said that all ministries and agencies involved in haze disaster management at the federal, state and district levels must plan and take the needed measures to ensure safety and public health is protected.

I have directed both the State Secretary and Phee to hold meetings and direct officers to be prepared to implement guidelines and actions already in place to manage any haze disaster that may impact on Penang. In the meantime, Penangites can only pray that the haze will not worsen in Penang.

Lim Guan Eng Penang Chief Minister