The sky over many parts of the peninsula was blanketed in haze due to forest fires in Sumatra, with air pollution readings exceeding the unhealthy level. The deteriorating air quality caused by indiscriminate slash and burn farming practice in Indonesia had previously irked politicians and the business community here and they want the Indonesian authorities to address the issue urgently.
The Department of Environment’s (DOE) air pollutant index (API) showed unhealthy air levels of between 101 and 161 over Malacca, Port Dickson and Port Klang on the west coast and Kemaman and Terengganu on the east coast, as at 5pm today.
In Kuala Lumpur, the API was at 92, just below the level deemed unhealthy. A level of 101-200 is considered unhealthy, while 51-100 is moderate.
DOE director-general Halimah Hassan was reported to have said on Saturday that 46 hotspots in Sumatra had been detected via satellite.
People in high-risk groups such as the elderly, children and those with respiratory problems such as asthma, have been advised to avoid outdoor activities and wear face masks when outdoors.
People having breathing difficulties, fever, nausea, dizziness, eye irritation or cough are advised to see a doctor.
The haze hit its worst level in 1997-1998, costing the Southeast Asian region an estimated US$9 billion (RM28.5 billion) by disrupting air travel and other business activities.
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