GEORGE TOWN, Oct 23 ― Putrajaya should change its haze monitoring system to capture particulates of 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) since Parliament has already approved it, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh said today.
Phee, who is Penang state environment and caring society committee chairman, said the Air Pollutant Index (API) system currently used does not reflect the actual situation in the country.
“We are still using the API reading system that captures particulates of 10 micrometres (PM10) when they should change it to PM2.5 as soon as possible,” he told a press conference at the Indonesian Consulate General today.
Phee said a more accurate reading system is needed to better inform the public about the haze conditions, so it can take the appropriate action.
“We hope Putrajaya would immediately change the system to present a more accurate API reading for the public's sake,” said Phee.
For years, Malaysia has been using the PM10 system while neighbouring Singapore is using the finer PM2.5 system for haze readings.
Earlier, Phee together with state executive councillors Dr Afif Bahardin, Law Heng Kiang and state assemblymen Cheah Kah Peng and Yap Soo Huey handed over a memorandum to the Indonesian Consulate General here.
They are asking the Indonesian government to quickly resolve the forest fires in Indonesia as the haze has negatively affected Malaysians and Penangites especially with the API breaching 200 in recent days.
