MELAKA, Oct 10 — Tourist spots around Banda Hilir here continue to draw local and foreign visitors despite Melaka recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings since Thursday due to the haze.

A Bernama check at the Stadthuys and Jonker Walk found that tourists were still visiting the popular attractions, while souvenir and handicraft shops remained open as usual. 

However, few tourists and traders were seen wearing face masks to protect themselves from the effects of unhealthy air quality.

Asmah Zulkifli, 66, from Kuala Lumpur, said the haze had not deterred her and several friends from visiting tourist attractions, including the Stadthuys, after attending a friend’s wedding reception in Bukit Katil here.

“If not for the wedding, we wouldn’t have come to Melaka. Since we are here, we decided to drop by Banda Hilir.

“Alhamdulillah, even though it is hazy, this area is still attracting many visitors and remains lively,” said the former civil servant, who will return to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow afternoon.

She said they planned to visit several other tourist attractions if the haze did not reach hazardous levels.

Trishaw peddler Muhammad Azhan Fikry Munawir, 28, said tourism activities in the area remained lively, with local and foreign tour groups continuing to visit.

“Perhaps, to the public, the impact of the haze is not like COVID. Besides, tourist areas in Melaka are still operating as usual.

“It is just that trishaw peddlers have to be more careful because we spend longer periods outdoors and are more exposed to the health effects,” said Muhammad Azhan, who has worked as a trishaw peddler for 10 years.

Meanwhile, souvenir trader Amalina Zulkifli, 34, said the haze had not deterred tourists from visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“Alhamdulillah, there are many tourists around this area today. Only yesterday there were slightly fewer, perhaps because it was a working day and the API reading was higher than today,” she said.

Data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed that API readings in Melaka had declined compared with yesterday but remained in the unhealthy range as of 5 pm today, with Alor Gajah and Bandaraya Melaka each recording 164, while Bukit Rambai recorded 163. — Bernama