Haze: Education Ministry to decide Saturday whether to close schools in Johor

The Education Ministry is monitoring the haze situation in Johor until 4pm Saturday before deciding whether schools in the state should be closed or not.

Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said its decision would be announced at 5pm tomorrow.

"If the Air Pollutants Index (API) reading does not drop, we will ask the state education department to close schools in Johor.

"However, if it is otherwise, we will not close (the schools)," he told reporters after attending an Aidiladha sacrifice ceremony in Kampung Mani here Friday.

Mahdzir, who is also Padang Terap MP, said his ministry was also monitoring the haze situation in Johor's neighbours Melaka and Negeri Sembilan.

Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded an API of 182 at 2pm today, which comes under the unhealthy category. This week is a school holiday in the country but schools in Johor are scheduled to reopen on Sunday, which is a normal working day in the state.