Kuala Lampur, Sept. 17 -- IPOH, Sept 17 - Schools located in the Seri Manjung area should close as unhealthy air quality was recorded today, Perak Health director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said.

A check of the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index (API) showed the coastal town having recorded a reading of 208 as at noon.

Dr Ding said that under the National Haze Action Plan, schools are advised to close if the API shows above 200.

"However, the closure of schools are under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry," she said in a brief statement.

State health committee chairman A. Sivanesan said that the matter was deliberated in the exco meeting last Wednesday.

"Last week the API reading in Perak was below 100. We decided th...