Emergency or not? Submitted by Sashi

Swank Home


Sashi’s Home




Just saw this news item on Bernama
:

Haze Worsens, API Above 500 In Two Areas

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) — The Air Pollutant Index (API) in several areas in Klang Valley have worsened markedly Thursday with readings above 500, classified as “hazardous” to health.

However, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the decision on whether to declare an emergency, will be made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Chairman of the National Disaster and Relief Management Committee.

As at 6 am today, Port Klang recorded an API reading of 534 while Kuala Selangor, the level had breached 510, he told reporters after attending a meet-the-people session with the Chinese community here today.

However, he said the API reading in Kuala Selangor at 11 am had risen to 531 while in Port Klang, the level had fallen to 529.

However, he said following this development, the ministry was waiting for further advice from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on the next move.

A few bloggers on PPS point out that foreign news agencies are reporting that we have declared ‘a state of emergency’ (see BBC, Channelnewsasia, Forbes).

So what is it, dear elected representatives of the Malaysian people? Are we in a state of emergency or not?!!

UPDATE: OK. So it is an official emergency
now - for Port Klang and Kuala Selangor, anyway. If the status-*cough*-quo remains, it’s gonna be a state of emergency for the rest of us too… (Thanks, Papi, for the pointer!)