KUALA LUMPUR: SRI Aman and Sibu in Sarawak continued to bear the brunt of the haze yesterday while the rest of Malaysia recorded moderate and healthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.
As of 3pm yesterday, Sri Aman and Sibu recorded API readings of 135 and 101 respectively.
The air quality in both areas has been unhealthy since the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
On Monday, which was the first day of Raya, a bushfire at Sibu’s Bukit Lima Forest Park caused the API to rise to 270 by noon, the highest in the nation, while visibility was reduced to 300m.
State Local Government and Community Development Minister Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh said the fire had been the main contributor of the haze since Saturday.
Sibu Fire and Rescue Department chief Abdul Mutalib Rashid said the fire was under control and they were monitoring the situation.
“We are also monitoring other areas and keeping a lookout for open burning.”
Mutalib said the Bukit Lima Forest Park bushfire had burnt peat soil about the depth of 3m.
The Federal Territory and Selangor recorded moderate API readings yesterday. As of 5pm on Tuesday, unhealthy API readings were recorded in Banting (109), Klang (117) and Batu Muda (132).
University Malaya Medical Centre consultant emergency physician Prof Madya Dr Rishya Manikam said: “The number of patients with respiratory problems has increased as the haze situation worsens.”
He advised the public to take precautions, especially senior citizens, infants and those who suffered from asthma or other respiratory problems.