Haze: Sarawak areas dominate unhealthy API readings, IPD Serian highest at 182

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 — Twenty-two areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 9am today.

According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, the highest reading was recorded at IPD Serian (182) in Sarawak, while seven areas in the state also recorded unhealthy API readings, namely Samarahan (168), Kuching (166), Sri Aman (163), Bintulu (153), Sibu (152), Sarikei (116) and Samalaju (105).

Five areas in Johor also recorded unhealthy API readings, with Larkin recording 162, Batu Pahat and Pasir Gudang 155 each, followed by Segamat (154) and Tangkak (153).

Meanwhile, Putrajaya and Nilai (Negeri Sembilan) each recorded a reading of 154, while Shah Alam, Selangor recorded 152, followed by Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (133) and Seremban, Negeri Sembilan (127).

Unhealthy API readings were also recorded at Bukit Rambai, Melaka (121), Bandaraya Melaka (114), Johan Setia, Selangor (112) and Petaling Jaya, Selangor (102).

Meanwhile, 40 areas recorded moderate readings, while five areas recorded good readings.

An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (hazardous).

Meanwhile, Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon, in a statement today, said that the situation was occurring amid persistent dry weather conditions in parts of the southern Asean region.

Based on a report by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) yesterday (Sept 19), 865 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan, 16 in Sumatra and six in Malaysia, all in Sarawak.

The ASMC also reported moderate to dense smoke plumes from clusters of hotspots in several areas in Kalimantan and southern Sumatra, with moderate transboundary smoke plumes from Kalimantan moving towards western Sarawak and southern Sabah.

She said haze from southern Sumatra and Kalimantan was also observed moving towards Singapore and southern Peninsular Malaysia.

Meanwhile, DOE said it continued to monitor the risk of fires, particularly in peatland areas and landfill sites that are vulnerable to fires during hot and dry weather.

DOE said monitoring would be stepped up if there was an increase in air pollution, while appropriate action would be taken in accordance with its jurisdiction and legal provisions to minimise the impact on the environment and public health.

“Enforcement action has also been strengthened through inspections and patrols in identified high-risk areas, including agricultural areas, peatlands, plantations, landfill sites and locations with potential for open burning,” the statement said.

DOE also monitors API readings, hotspots and developments in transboundary haze, taking into account meteorological information to assess the situation and coordinate haze management measures at district, state and national levels.

Under the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK), the Disaster Management Committee can be activated by NADMA when the API reading exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours.

The PTJK also stipulates the suspension of outdoor activities when the API reading exceeds 100, the closure of schools, kindergartens and childcare centres when the API reading exceeds 200, while cloud seeding operations may be carried out, subject to the presence of clouds and suitable weather conditions, when the API reading exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours.

The department also urged the public not to carry out open burning, particularly during hot and dry weather and when air quality is at unhealthy to hazardous levels.

It added that under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, offences involving open burning are punishable by a minimum fine of RM25,000 up to RM1 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, while a compound of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may also be imposed for each offence.

The public is also urged to report fires or incidents of open burning to the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department via the 999 emergency line or DOE’s toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727.

“Hourly API readings can be accessed via DOE’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) or the official MyJAS EQMS application,” it said. — Bernama