Natural Resources and Environment Minister G Palanivel in his latest Facebook posting announced that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had declared emergency status in Muar and Ledang with immediate effect after the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings there reached more than 750 at 7am today.

NONE In an earlier Facebook posting Palanivel ( right ) said Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Halimah Hassan had asked the National Security Council (NSC) director to declare emergency in Muar today.

He said the haze situation in three cities in Malaysia including Muar had reached hazardous level.

Muar, according to him, had reached an API of 750.

The API at Muar reported by Department of Environment (DoE) as at 7 am today was at 746.

Two areas in Malacca also were in hazardous API territory as at 7am today namely Bandaraya Melaka and Bukit Rambai, with readings of 357 and 334 respectively.

Palanivel said the highest API ever recorded in Malaysia was in Sarawak in 1997 with a reading of 860.

NONE He also said that the NSC would issue instructions for residents to stay indoors and direct schools in several states to remain closed.

"NSC should look at cloud seeding operations immediately," he said.

According to the API, a reading of 0-5 denotes good air quality; 51-100 (moderate); 101-200 (Unhealthy); 201-300 (Very Unhealthy); above 301 (hazardous to human health).

Later Najib in a statement said the state of emergency due to haze for the districts of Muar and Ledang in Johor until such a time it is withdrawn.

najib new cabinet 150513 "This haze emergency declaration does not involve imposition of a curfew and also there is no change in the method of administration either at the state or federal level for now," he said.

Najib said all ministries and agencies involved in haze disaster management at the federal, state and district levels must plan and take the needed measures to ensure safety and public health is protected.

He said guidelines on the actions to take to manage a haze disaster were already in place and that all the relevant agencies must discharge their duties accordingly.

The statement also included the guidelines in facing a haze disaster which were issued by the National Security Council (NSC), Prime Minister's Department.

- Bernama

DOE's Air Pollutant Index - check API readings nationwide