Abdul Karim (sixth left) joins participants for a group photo during the Maulidur Rasul 1448H/2026M celebration at Kampung Tambirat, Asajaya.
KUCHING (Aug 25): The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) should assess actual haze conditions at individual locations before deciding to cancel programmes, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) said authorities should not automatically cancel events based solely on haze forecasts made several days in advance, particularly when programmes were being held indoors.
He said organisers of outdoor events could instead be given discretion to decide whether prevailing conditions posed a health risk.
“If the programme is held in an enclosed area, it should not be cancelled. Perhaps activities such as football matches or other outdoor events held as part of the celebration can be cancelled, but programmes in the hall should not be cancelled,” he told reporters at the 1448H/2026M Maulidur Rasul celebration programme at Kampung Tambirat Multipurpose Hall, Asajaya today.
Abdul Karim said several major programmes had already been cancelled, including the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration in Sri Aman, the National Day celebration in Kapit and the SKAS programme in Mukah.
He said the cancellations could result in losses for organisers who had spent weeks preparing and holding meetings for the events.
“We understand that public health is also important, but look at it comprehensively,” he said.
Abdul Karim said haze conditions could differ from one location to another depending on wind direction and other prevailing conditions.
“If the wind is no longer bringing haze to the place where an event is being held, I do not think everything needs to be cancelled,” he said.
He said the Air Pollutant Index (API) should also be taken into consideration, noting that schools would be closed when the reading exceeded 200.
Abdul Karim said his remarks were not intended as criticism of the SDMC, but as constructive criticism to ensure decisions were made based on actual conditions at the affected locations.
He also said members of the public should use their own senses to assess visibility and conditions around them instead of relying solely on information from others.
“Allah gives us eyes. Use them as best as possible,” he said, comparing current conditions with the 1997 haze when visibility was severely reduced.
He said if people could see objects several kilometres away, it was an indication that visibility at the location remained relatively good.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Abdul Karim expressed his appreciation to the village committees, mosques, suraus, as well as youth, women and community groups for working together to make the programme a success.
He said the programme was jointly organised by 11 community organisations from Kampung Tambirat Ulu, Tambirat Hilir, Tambirat Tengah and Tambirat Lot, involving 16 contingents comprising 240 participants from the Asajaya area.
“This spirit of mutual cooperation, consensus and togetherness is what we must continue to uphold. Although we may differ in age, background and views, we should always seek common ground that can unite the community, he said.