Air quality in Klang Valley moderate

PETALING JAYA: Haze enveloped parts of Klang Valley with air pollutant index readings in some areas rising to moderate levels.

As of 4pm yesterday, moderate API readings were recorded in Banting (55), Kuala Selangor (53), Port Klang (72), Petaling Jaya (51), Shah Alam (51), Batu Muda (88) and Cheras (65), according to the Department of Environment.

Putrajaya was the only area with good air quality as of yesterday evening with a reading of 41.

Other locations nationwide with moderate API readings were Nilai, Negri Sembilan (52); Bakar Arang (Kedah) (53); Jerantut (52); Jalan Tasek, Ipoh (67); SK Jalan Pegoh, Ipoh (62); Tanjung Malim (87); Kuala Terengganu (64); and Kema-man (51).

An API reading of between zero and 50 indicates good air quality; between 51 and 100, moderate; between 101 and 200, unhealthy; between 201 and 300, very unhealthy and over 301, hazardous.

Natural Resources and Environ-ment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said there had been 4,361 cases of open burning from January to two days ago.

“Of this figure, open burning in agricultural land was the highest (1,432 cases).

“This is followed by 1,001 cases of bush fires and 897 cases in forested areas.

“There have been 796 cases of small open burning incidents, 132 in construction areas, 69 at dump sites and 34 in industrial areas,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Palanivel added that 43 investigation papers were opened and compound notices had been sent to those involved in 297 open burning cases.

He added that warning letters were sent for 94 other cases.

Under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, those convicted of open burning can be fined not more than RM500,000 or sentenced to a jail term of not more than five years or both.

A maximum compound of RM2,000 can also be imposed for every offence.

“The trans-boundary haze pollution affecting Malaysia follows the south-west monsoon season.

This is expected to continue until September,” Palanivel said.

He also noted that moderate smoke haze from fires in Riau province in Indonesia’s central Sumatra would be brought to the central west coast of the peninsula by south-westerly winds.