KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — The Department of Environment (DOE) said it will improve the Air Pollutant Index (API) monitoring system by 2017 amid public complaints of inaccuracy as Malaysia remains shrouded in haze.
Local daily the New Straits Times (NST) reported Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri as saying that a similar API measurement to Singapore will be adopted by including a sixth parameter of particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5), from the current 10 micrometre (PM10) measuring.
“Twelve out of 52 API reading stations have been upgraded to measure PM2.5 components. But, API readings in Malaysia are still based on fine dust measuring 10 micrometre (PM10), which is why the readings are lower than those in neighbouring countries even though the haze is evidently bad,” Hamim was quoted saying yesterday.
In a separate article, the NST reported the Meteorology Department as saying that the haze is expected to last longer than expected as the easterly winds that were initially predicted to blow the haze away were weak.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo told UK broadcaster BBC News this week that it will take three years to complete construction of canals and temporary water reserves in forests before long-term results to the haze crisis, an annual problem caused by Indonesian forest fires, can be seen.
The haze has been worsening over the past few days, with 19 areas in Malaysia now recording unhealthy air quality as at 8am today.
