Cars may be banned in KL

Cars may be banned in KL

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia may ban private vehicles from entering the capital Kuala Lumpur because of pollution and has activated an anti-haze action plan in Kuching, the capital of eastern Sarawak state, reports said yesterday.

Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding ordered action to be taken immediately in Kuching because "the town has been suffering from unhealthy air quality for more than 72 hours now".

Air quality in Sarawak has dwindled to unhealthy levels since last week with visibility as low as 300 meters, causing the state to close its airports in Bintulu and Sibu, The Star daily reported.

The plan includes steps to control the number of cars entering the city, increasing car parking fees and lowering public transport charges.