Penang's poor air quality: NGO wants answers

Over the past few days, Penang skies appear to be clouded by haze, giving rise to concern among residents and environment-focused NGOs like Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).

SAM president Meenakshi Raman said the serious haze problem occurring in Penang had resulted in "very poor visibility".

"We are wondering why the haze is occurring and SAM would like a clarification from the Department of Environment (DOE) about the state of the air quality in Penang," Meenakshi said in a statement.

"With the rather high temperatures these past few weeks in the region of 30°C and above and with no rains, the haze seems to have come back," she added.

Meenakshi queried if forest fires have started again in Indonesia, or are the fires breaking out in the northern region which is contributing to the haze.

She said the public should be informed about the air quality levels so that precautionary measures can be taken.

"It is not enough just to put the air pollutant index readings on the DOE website but there must be explanation on what the readings mean and on the source of the air pollution," said Meenakshi.

She also urged the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology and Climate Change and state authorities to explain what they are doing about the matter.

"The lack of information is indeed worrying," she said.

In an immediate response, Penang executive councillor on environment Phee Boon Poh (photo) said so far, there are no reports of "hotspots" in the state.

API for Seberang Perai at 11am was 81, Seberang Jaya (76), Minden Heights (74) and Balik Pulau (82).

API values of between 201 and 300 signify 'very unhealthy' air quality conditions, while values from 151 to 200 are 'unhealthy'.

"The way I see it, the hot weather and brief and less rainfall seem to cause the haze-like condition," Phee told Malaysiakini.

"So far, we have received no reports about fires in Indonesia."

Asked if the state would be giving out free face masks to the public to overcome the hazy week, Phee said "not at the moment".

On lack of information regarding air quality, Phee said records are publicly available on DOE website.

Meanwhile, the state DOE said the Air Pollution Index reading for Penang is "still moderate".

"There is no cause which could contribute to haze. We have not classified the situation as haze yet," said a DOE spokesperson. - Mkini