Haze will not affect Floria Putrajaya 2013

Putrajaya Corporation Landscape and Park Department director Mohamad A. Shukor said the refreshing and oxygen-filled air at the festival itself would attract visitors to the venue.

"However, visitors are advised to wear face mask for health precaution," he told reporters at a media briefing on the final preparations for the festival.

The festival, to be held for nine days and themed 'The Orchid - Tropical Treasure' will be opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at 9am tomorrow.

Asked on the selection of the orchid for the theme, Mohamad said it grew in the tropical rain forest with Malaysia one of the locations, adding that there were more than 7,000 orchid species in Malaysia.

He said more than 200 activities, including talks and workshops or gardening, flower arrangement and demonstration and photography contest, would be held during the festival.

Twenty-three participants from 18 countries, comprising South Africa, Australia, Chile, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, Korea, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Malaysia are taking part in the event.

Besides a display of various types of flowers, there will be a special event, known as the Magic of the Night' and themed 'Colours of Harmony', where 14 beautifully-lighted and decorated boats, including from China, will sail along the scenic lake 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

The API in some other areas were as follows: Larkin Lama, Johor (197), Port Dickson and Seremban in Negeri Sembilan (187 and 109 respectively) and Banting in Selangor (143).

The Meteorological Department said it anticipated the haze to prolong until Wednesday as the tropical storm Bebinca was expected to blow from the south-west.

Its deputy director-general, Dr Mohd Rosaidi Che Abas, said in an interview on the 'Buletin Awani' programme over Astro Awani that the storm would bring stronger winds and drier weather and carry the haze from Sumatra to Malaysia.

A total of 589 schools in Johor, in the towns of Muar, Batu Pahat, Pasir Gudang and Pontian, were closed today. Schools in Muar and Batu Pahat remained closed from yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Johor Health Department reported that the number of people with upper respiratory tract ailments had risen by 21 per cent this week compared to the previous week.

It said most of these people were between the ages of 13 and 59, and the ailments included asthma and conjunctivitis.

"The number of people suffering from such ailments is expected to rise if the haze prolongs," the department said.

It advised people in the high-risk category, such as children, the elderly and ill, to restrict their outdoor activities.

Those working outdoors should wear masks and wash their face and exposed skin frequently, it said, adding that smokers should refrain from the habit.

The department advised motorists to switch on their air-conditioner with internal circulation, close all their vehicle windows and drink plenty of water.

Meanwhile, Johor Port Authority general manager Muhammad Razif Ahmad said in a statement that the operations at the Johor, Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Pelepas ports were going on as usual.

He said the authority had put in place security measures, including monitoring of the port areas, getting personnel to wear masks and adhering to safety directives from the relevant agencies.