KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — As of 1 pm today, four areas in Peninsular Malaysia hit the unhealthy levels, with Cheras recording the highest when the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings hit 126, according to the Department Of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index Malaysia (APIMS) website. Other areas which were categorised as unhealthy were Shah Alam, Selangor (115), Port Klang (112) and Nilai, Negri Sembilan (103).
The API readings in Miri, Sarawak however had come down significantly from 146 on April 22 to 40 as of 11 am today, thus categorising it under the good air quality.
Most areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded moderate levels with Banting recording the highest moderate reading at 99.
East Malaysia recorded generally good air quality, with Tawau recording an API of 19 and Sibu (26).
A recent statement by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment stated the haze plaguing the Klang Valley since April 20 was due to the smoke from fires which occurred in several areas in the Peninsula, including peat soil fires at the border of Kuala Langat and Sepang, Selangor.
Fire and Rescue Department South Selangor Zone Chief, Abu Bakar Abdul Kadir said it (the fire) started with 65 acres of fire covering the peat soil area on March 31st but it has since come down to 38 acres as of date.
“We have extinguished 55 per cent of the fire since March 31 and we expect the fire to be fully extinguished in five days’ time, “However, if it is aggravated by the hot and windy weather, there is a possibility the fire will spread and it will take us longer to put it out,” he told Bernama today.
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 and 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 300 and above (hazardous).
The public can refer to the portal http://apims.doe.gov.my/v2/ for the latest API readings. — Bernama
