KL declares alert on worsening haze

KL declares alert on worsening haze

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia's environment ministry
yesterday declared a nation-wide alert as pollution levels from a
haze that has shrouded the country since August worsened and
advised wearing surgical masks if necessary.

Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding said Malaysia's air
quality index was at 247 or at a very unhealthy level at 0100 GMT
yesterday. An index level of 300 is considered hazardous.

Law said the ministry will recommend the government impose
mandatory cuts on industrial fuel burning, reduce the number of
vehicles on the road, close schools, and declare public holidays
if the situation worsens.

The haze, which has also blanketed neighboring Singapore and
Brunei, has been blamed on thick smoke from forest fires raging
in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatra islands.