Following the worsening haze condition in the country, the government has decided to revoke its eight-year ban on the disclosure of the Air Pollutant Index (API) beginning today.

Announcing this at a joint press conference in Putrajaya, Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Adenan Satem said this is to keep the public informed about the situation.

Adenan said the API readings will be announced at 3pm every day.

He also revealed that the readings for Port Klang (410), Shah Alam (316) and Kuala Selangor (327) were at 'hazardous' levels .

The reading for Kuala Lumpur stood at 181.

According to the minister, an emergency will be declared if the reading at a particular area reaches 500.

"But we have not reached that stage," he said.

At the same press conference, the Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Rosnani Ibrahim said if the index hits 300, the National Security Council will take over and decide on the next course of action.

"According to the haze action plan, when the level reaches more than 300, we will inform them (the council) and it will take over and manage the situation. We informed the council this morning," she added.

Transparency assured

Meanwhile, Chua said the Health Ministry will advise schools to close if the API reading exceeds 400.

He stressed that the government is handling the matter openly and asked for the cooperation of the media.

"We will be transparent, we are not hiding anything. We need the media to cooperate with us. If the API reaches 500, we will let you know, so don't speculate," he said.

Adedan told reporters that the haze will continue for a few more days

Adenan said that the haze will continue 'at least for the next days' while Chua, when quizzed on the Meteorological Department's focus of the haze lasting till November, said 'meteorology can never be 100 percent sure'.

Despite the assurance of transparency, Adenan was tightlipped when asked about the haze action plan .

He said that he cannot elaborate on the details of the plan but did not state any reasons for this.

The minister said he will fly to Jakarta as soon as possible to meet with the Indonesian administration to discuss on how to find a solution to the problem.

On the other hand, Chua said his ministry has detected an increase in health problems related to the haze.

He advised the public to stop all outdoor activities and exercise, wear mask when going out, not to smoke, drink more water and maintain personal hygiene.

Subang airport closed

Meanwhile, AFP reports that the authorities have closed Kuala Lumpur's second airport today because of the thick haze.

Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy said that the Subang airport, Malaysia's former main airport just south of the capital, was closed at 12.40 pm with visibility less than 300 metres. It would remain closed until conditions improved.

The minister added that contingency plans were being made in case the country's main airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) where visibility was about 800 metres, also had to close.

"We have three airports that are capable of handling the scheduled flights which are Langkawi airport, Penang airport, as well as Senai aiport in Johor Bahru in the event the haze condition worsens at KLIA," he told reporters.

Langkawi and Penang islands are both off Malaysia's northwest coast and Senai is in the south. All three areas are less affected by the haze.

When asked if any flights had been diverted, he replied: "Emirates (airlines) diverted a flight scheduled to arrive at KLIA at 2.15 pm to Singapore's Changi Airport."

Under international airport authority guidelines, airports must close once visibility falls below 300 metres. However, airlines and pilots can also make independent decisions to divert flights.