Muar API reading worsens to hazardous level of 453

The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Muar has reached hazardous level at 4pm this evening with a reading of 453, worsening from the 373 reading recorded at 11am today. 

Muar Natural Disaster (Air Pollution and Haze) Committee chairperson Abdul Rahman Mohamed Dewam said the air quality in the district had continued deteriorating as the reading increased from 276 at 7am to 312 (8am), 338 (9am) and 360 (10am). 

According to the Department of Environment's (DOE) website, unhealthy air quality was also recorded in 10 areas across the country, including Kota Tinggi with an API reading of 189, Larkin Lama (167), Pasir Gudang (187), Bandaraya Melaka (188) and Bukit Rambai (170). 

Thirty-nine other areas registered moderate API reading, while two areas had good air quality. 

Based on the air quality index, reading of between 0-50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy), and 300 and above hazardous. 

Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister G Palanivel said he would visit Jakarta on Wednesday to hold discussions with his Indonesian counterpart, Prof Dr Balthasar Kambuayato, on the haze issue.  

The meeting, he said, was expected to discuss stricter enforcement of laws and penalties and pro-active moves on matters such as cloud seeding. 

Forest fires in Sumatra

The DOE in a statement today, said the rising API to unhealthy and hazardous levels was still influenced by cross-border haze pollution following the current Southwest Monsoon season which was expected to persist until September.  

"The regional haze map released by Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) yesterday showed thick smoke emanating from forest fires in Riau, Central Sumatra, Indonesia and wind blowing from the southwest has brought haze to the central and southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia," it said. 

The statement said ASMC also reported that the number of hotspots recorded in Sumatra yesterday had declined to 21 compared to 64 on Thursday and 173 on Wednesday. 

In SHAH ALAM, Selangor DOE director Siti Zaleha Ibrahim said the air quality in many areas in the state worsened today but the situation was expected to improve in a few days.  

"Continuous monitoring will be carried out until the API reading recorded a healthy air quality, especially in Port Klang which is nearest to Sumatra. DOE will take action against any parties violating the regulations on open burning," she said when contacted by Bernama. 

Two areas in Selangor which recorded unhealthy air quality were Port Klang (145) and Banting (107). 

- Bernama