J
Jiang Wei
Guest
Thursday October 21, 2010
Johor activates disaster relief panel
JOHOR BARU: The state has activated a district-level disaster relief committee in Muar in view of its deteriorating air quality. It will be headed by the Muar district officer, said state Health Committee chairman Dr Robiah Kosai. She urged the public, especially those with asthma or respiratory illness, to reduce their outdoor activities or start wearing face masks.
She also advised motorists using the highways to turn on their vehicle lights as the haze was bad along certain stretches. The Department of Environment has noted that parts of Johor had registered moderate levels in Air Pollutant Index (API) readings with Kota Tinggi, Larkin and Pasir Gudang registering 61, 74, and 69 respectively.
Meanwhile, state Energy, Water, Communication and Environment Committee chairman Tan Kok Hong said about 5,000 masks had been dispatched to Muar to be distributed to the public. The masks, he said, would be given to the Muar district office for distribution. Tan urged the public not to throw their cigarette butts indiscriminately as it could start fires.
In Muar, marine police base commanding officer Asst Supt Nordin Osman said that all vessels, especially fishermen’s boats, should be on the alert when plying the Malacca Straits due to the haze. Although the situation had improved slightly yesterday, he said visibility was still poor. “Visibility is between two to three nautical miles. Ships should have all their lights on at night,” he said yesterday. ASP Nordin said the haze is thicker at sea than on land.
