Worsening haze has prompted concern among parents, with some reporting children suffering coughs and breathing difficulties while attending school.
GROWING concern over worsening haze conditions has spread among Malaysians, with netizens raising alarm over the impact of deteriorating air quality on public health, particularly among school-going children.
One Threads post questioned when the government would declare a state of emergency over the nationwide haze situation, citing what the user claimed was a rise in cases of respiratory illnesses.
“So many patients have been admitted in the emergency ward because of breathing difficulties,” the user claimed.
Commenters shared similar concerns, particularly regarding their school-going children.
“My child has started coughing to the point they have to use an inhaler,” said one user.
“Pity the young children, with their red eyes and affected breathing. Private clinics are full of people who have contracted fevers,” said another.
“Schools are not going to close down anytime soon. I’m tired of writing letters of absence because my child keeps on falling sick,” another commented.
Meanwhile, another Threads user voiced frustration over the worsening haze, questioning why more action had not been taken to protect schoolchildren.
“Please don’t tell me you want our kids to risk their health for the exams? My son has been coughing non-stop and getting the flu.
“Are we going to wait until a high percentage of kids are hospitalised for things to be taken seriously?” the post read.
Considering that the Year 4 Learning Matrix (MPT4) exams are scheduled to be held from Oct 6 to Oct 8 this year, many parents have also shared their worries about their children going to school amid the worsening haze. Batu Pahat has reportedly postponed the MPT4 dates following the unhealthy air quality.
Earlier, it was reported that 35 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy API readings as of 10am today.
Two areas – Batu Pahat in Johor and Johan Setia in Selangor – reportedly recorded an API reading of 190, while Cheras in Kuala Lumpur recorded 189, followed by Putrajaya at 187.
The concerns expressed online reflect growing anxiety among parents over the potential health impact of prolonged exposure to unhealthy air, particularly as children continue attending school amid the haze.
