KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — Haze conditions remained severe in East Malaysia today, with four areas in Sarawak recording hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 4pm, while four areas in Sabah registered unhealthy levels by 6pm.

Serian District Police Headquarters recorded the highest API reading in Sarawak at 445, followed by Kuching at 366, Samarahan at 350 and Sri Aman at 334, according to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, according to a report by national news agency Bernama.

Three other areas in Sarawak recorded very unhealthy readings, namely Sarikei at 277, Sibu at 243 and Mukah at 216.

Another 15 areas recorded unhealthy readings, led by Samalaju at 197, Bintulu at 178, the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) Miri and Miri at 174 each, and Kapit at 166.

Other areas with unhealthy readings were Labuan at 165, Limbang in Sarawak at 161, Sungai Petani in Kedah at 155, and Seberang Perai, Seberang Jaya and Minden in Penang at 154, 153 and 152 respectively.

In Sabah, Kota Kinabalu recorded the highest unhealthy API reading at 154, followed by Kimanis at 152, Keningau at 103 and Tawau at 102, while Sandakan remained at a moderate level with a reading of 81.

Sabah Department of Environment director Nor Rashidah Mohd Ghazali said reports from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department and open burning prevention patrols conducted today showed that no major fires had been detected or reported in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Sandakan and Tawau.

Due to the hot and dry weather, the Sabah DOE would step up enforcement and daily patrols in areas prone to open burning while continuing to monitor API readings from time to time, she said.

Nor Rashidah said 474 open burning prevention operation (OMPT) patrols had been conducted to date, with today’s patrols covering Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Papar, Beaufort, Sandakan and Tawau, particularly in sensitive areas and locations near air quality monitoring stations.

The department also advised the public against open burning and to regularly monitor the latest API readings through the DOE website or the official MyJAS EQMS application.

Under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, individuals convicted of open burning offences can be fined between RM25,000 and RM1 million, or imprisoned for up to five years, or both.

Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic and Kimanis in Sabah recorded moderate API readings of 121 and 116 respectively, while 42 areas nationwide recorded moderate readings and three recorded good readings as of 4pm.

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous.

Under the National Haze Action Plan, schools, kindergartens and childcare centres will be closed immediately once the API reading reaches 200. - malaymail