SRI AMAN: Despite the air quality level in the Sri Aman district breaching the red zone on the Air Pollutant Index (API) with a reading of 367 as of 10am today, life goes on for many residents there.
A random check by NSTP at the city centre this morning found that many residents were going about with their daily chores without even wearing a face mask. These include a few elderly women and men who were seen walking through the streets with their grandchildren.
"Some people are simply not paying attention to the haze situation and the dangers it brings, or probably lack access to such information.
"I admit that I was not aware that the API level in Sri Aman has reached the hazardous level until you told me," said 29-year-old mechanic Nasir Wan.
Meanwhile, further checks also found that several secondary and primary schools in the city were quiet following the hazardous air quality today.
A teacher, who declined to be named, said all schools in Sri Aman had been ordered to close after the API reading exceeded 300 this morning.
"Only the teachers are present, but we will also be required to vacate if the API reading breaches 500.
"We also have to don the face masks while on duty to reduce the haze effect on our health," he added.
Bus driver Entali, meanwhile, expressed regret over the haze incident in Sri Aman, saying many students were unable to attend school and this had affected their studies unnecessarily.
"In this regard, I hope our neighbour will act more aggressively in addressing open burning activities," Entali added.