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Haze: 5 states reported unhealthy air quality as at 2pm

PUTRAJAYA: The Environment Department (DOE) reported five states with unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) as at 2pm.

Samarahan recorded the highest API reading with 173, followed by Kuching and Sri Aman with unhealthy readings of 153 and 129, respectively.

Other states with unhealthy API reading are Bukit Rambai, Malacca with 102 and Tawau with 120.

According to ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre based in Singapore, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite image detected 479 hotspots in Kalimantan, 18 in Sumatera and three in Sarawak as of yesterday.

However, the total number of hotspots in Sumatera could not be fully detected due to cloud cover over parts of the region.

The movement of thick and moderate haze from Kalimantan was detected heading to West Sarawak while the smoke from Central and Southern Sumatera was heading to West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the DOE was closely monitoring the API reading nationwide through 52 air quality monitoring stations.

He said relevant agencies had taken necessary actions in dealing with haze which was in accordance with National Haze Action Plan.

Among the actions were holding special meeting on haze situation, mobilising National Security Council committee to address the haze issue, shutting down schools in worst haze-hit areas and cloud seeding operations by Meteorology Department and Royal Air Force.

“Currently, the cloud seeding operations in the peninsular Malaysia had been terminated as the weather condition has improved. However, the cloud seeding operations will be continued in Sarawak until September 25. “ he said in a statement.

As of yesterday, DOE recorded 3,397 open burning cases nationwide involving forests with 589 cases, agricultural areas with 1,185 cases, industry areas (19 cases), construction areas (67 cases), landfills (94 cases), bushes (680 cases) and other small open burning (763).

DOE has taken enforcement actions against the offenders, in which 216 open burning cases have been compounded, 15 cases were issued notices and 41 cases were issued order letters.

The department has also prepared investigation papers for 18 open burning cases for court action.

Wan Junaidi advised the public against open burning which could worsen the haze situation.

He said under Section 29 (A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, those convicted of carrying out open burning would be fined not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment of up to five years or both, in addition to the maximum fine of RM2,000 which can be imposed for each offence.

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