Following the declaration of haze emergency in Kuala Selangor and Port Klang, the government said all workplaces in these two areas must remain closed except for essential services, food shops and supermarkets.

In a statement, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the emergency status was declared after the Air Pollutant Index (API) for the two areas surpassed the 500 mark.

However, he stated that this does mean a curfew and the Selangor government will continue administering the two places.

He said the police and the armed forces must arrange and take the necessary steps to ensure peace and security.

The premier also issued a set guidelines to be followed, which stated:

When the haze emergency is declared, the state management and disaster committee must initiate the following steps.

a) Issue an order for the closure of all government and private offices and other work places including factories, plantations, construction and quarries.

However, this does not include:

  1. shops that sell food stuff, drinks, markets and supermarkets;
  2. clinics, pharmacies and medicine shops; and
  3. essential services

b) Ensure that earthwork and earth movement are stopped

c) Advise the reduction of the use of private vehicles

d) Ensure the closure of all schools

e) Ensure the frequent dissemination of information of the API to the media

f) Get the media to advise the public to remain at home and steps that need to be taken by the people

g) Information Ministry must ensure that information is disseminated directly

h) Ensure strict enforcement against open burning

i) Ensure that this emergency declaration does not include the declaration of curfew (except for certain situations as provided for under the appropriate laws.)