PUTRAJAYA, July 24 — Only Kuala Selangor had an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading at 3pm, believed to be due to transboundary haze, said Environment Department (DOE) director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar.
In a statement today, he said the DOE’s API reading showed good air quality in two areas while 64 others were of moderate air quality.
“The deterioration in air quality in the affected areas is still due to the transboundary haze. There have been no major fires that could cause local haze,” he said.
Based on a report by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre based in Singapore yesterday, Wan Abdul Latif said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 20 satellite images found 42 hotspots in Sumatra and 91 hotspots in Kalimantan.
Apart from that, he said, there were 13 hot spots detected in Malaysia — 11 in Sarawak, one in Pahang and one in Terengganu.
“DOE has increased enforcement and daily patrol activities to areas at risk for open burning as well as monitoring API readings,” he said.
He said the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) had been activated to coordinate government agencies in addressing open burning and the haze.
“Landowners are advised to closely monitor areas prone to fire such as landfills, forests, peatland, plantations, agricultural and industrial areas. They have also been asked to take steps to prevent encroachment by irresponsible parties that cause open burning,” he said.
Wan Abdul Latiff said the DOE, along with ministries and agencies involved in haze management, will respond quickly based on the PTJK.
Among compulsory actions is to halt outdoor activities when the API exceeds 100, while schools, kindergartens and nurseries are to be closed when the API exceeds 200.
“The people are reminded not to perform open burning or allow their land or premises to be entered or encroached on by irresponsible parties that perform open burning,” he said.
— Bernama
