Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government has activated the State Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) as well as the district-level PKOBs in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Papar following the Air Pollution Index (API) reading approaching 200.
State Secretary Datuk Zainudin Aman, in a statement Wednesday, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had been informed of the matter Wednesday.
“The action plan according to this area is based on the National Haze Action Plan,” he said.
The haze situation in Kg Karambunai Laut, Tuaran.He said the Chief Minister was also informed that the increase in API was influenced by the movement of winds towards Sabah and was expected to increase consistently as long as there was no rain in Kalimantan.
Based on the National Haze Action Plan, all areas of Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Keningau, Kimanis and Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic are categorised at Warning Level 1A.
“For Warning level 1A, among the actions set are stopping activities outside the classroom, postponing co-curricular and sports activities, providing public notices regarding API readings and precautionary measures, increasing enforcement and intensifying monitoring of industries and waste disposal sites,” he said.
Zainudin said a declaration of emergency or haze disaster would be implemented when the API reading reaches 500 and above.
He also suggested that official State Government activities be cancelled or postponed if the API reading reaches or exceeds 200, while indoor activities are still allowed.
The State Government will also recommend that schools in areas that record an API reading of 200 or more be closed and that learning be implemented from home.
“It is proposed that the implementation of prayers be held in every district for Muslims as one of the efforts to seek protection and well-being.
“At the same time, other religious places of worship are also advised to carry out appropriate religious activities according to their respective beliefs and practices,” he said.
According to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, five areas in Sabah recorded unhealthy API levels as of 3pm Wednesday.
The Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic Station recorded the highest reading of 180, followed by Keningau (177), Kota Kinabalu (174), Kimanis (171) and Sandakan (135), while Tawau was at a moderate level (99).
