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
Today a Emirates plane from Dubai was diverted to Changi