Monday 12 Oct 2026
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GEORGE TOWN (Aug 13): Penang may suspend certain outdoor activities, including those at schools, if the Air Pollutant Index (API) reaches an unhealthy level, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.

He said API readings in the state were currently at moderate levels, but an advisory would be issued to stop or suspend certain outdoor activities if the readings reached a more critical level.

“For example, certain schools may have to suspend outdoor activities. So, we will wait and see,” he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at R.A.C.E To Zero: Penang Edition here on Thursday.

Chow said he had also communicated with the State Secretary and received updates on the latest situation.

According to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), API readings at several locations in Penang were mostly at moderate levels as of 1pm on Thursday, with Minden recording the highest reading at 103.

This was followed by Seberang Jaya at 96, Seberang Perai at 94 and Balik Pulau at 89.

Under the API classification, readings of 0 to 50 are categorised as good, 51 to 100 as moderate, 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.

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