HAZE WATCH: Be prepared for return of the haze
HAZE WATCH: Be prepared for return of the haze
19 August 2005
publishedby www.nst.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysians should prepare for the worst if the haze returns next week, as predicted by the Meteorological Services Department.
The forecast said wind from the south-west to the south beginning Monday, could bring the haze to the Klang Valley, Malacca, Perak, Johor and Penang.
Malaysian Association of Hotels president Mohd Ilyas told the New Straits Times that hotels would implement measures similar to when the haze hit the country a week ago.
This includes providing masks and extra bottles of water for guests as well as organising more indoor activities to encourage them to stay in.
“Hoteliers are quite familiar with such situations and we will act as we did when the haze hit us before.”
Echoing the sentiment was Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad, who is confident the number of tourists would not drop despite the haze predictions.
“What we did was to redirect them (tourists) to other places when Kuala Lumpur was choked with haze,” he said.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin said plantation owners foresee a drop in output should the haze return as it would affect pollination and the yield per hectare.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican reminded the public to continue drinking lots of water and seek treatment if they feel unwell.
As of 5pm today, the air quality nationwide was between moderate and good according to the Department of Environment.
No State recorded an Air Pollutant Index reading above 101.
