KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia's west coast Port Klang was forced to
temporarily suspend operations for the second day in a row on
Thursday after a choking haze closed in on the area, officials
said.
Terminal operators Northport and Westport stopped operations for
about two hours from mid-afternoon after deciding conditions were
too hazardous for workers, they said.
Northport suspended its operations for three hours late Wednesday
due to the dark and unhealthy conditions, which forced employees to
wear protective masks and turn vehicle headlights on.
"We have already resumed operations now and we will have to see how
the situation is, and there will be a two-hourly review," a
Northport spokeswoman said.
The government's Port Klang Authority, which can order a suspension
of shipping activities, said that it was leaving decisions on
suspensions up to the operators for now.
"The operators are monitoring and they will keep us informed as and
when it is necessary," general manager O.C. Phang told AFP.
Port Klang has been one of the areas worst hit by the haze,
registering well above 500 on the air pollution index. A reading of
300 and above is considered hazardous. - AFP/de