JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 11 — The Johor government has decided to extend the closure of all schools and educational institutions in the state for five days, from October 12 to 16, due to the haze.
State Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the decision was made upon the decree of the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, following the worsening air quality.
Muhammad Naqib said the decision also took into account several key factors based on an assessment of the current situation, including projected wind movements from Kalimantan, Indonesia, between October 13 and 15, which could bring transboundary air pollution and affect air quality in the state.
“In addition, the concentration of air pollutants and static atmospheric conditions could cause the haze to persist for a longer period, while Air Pollutant Index (API) readings have been reported at between 170 and 180,” he said in a statement yesterday.
