More hotspots detected in Kalimantan

PETALING JAYA: The number of hotspots in Kalimantan has increased, according to data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC).

It rose to 549 on Thursday from 367 while 17 hotspots were detected in Sumatra, Indonesia, on Wednes­day.

In Malaysia, hotspots were recorded in three states – one hotspot each in Terengganu and Sabah. Five hotspots were detected in Sarawak, said Natural Resources and Environ­ment Minister Datuk Seri G Palanivel in a statement yesterday.

Haze was also detected in the south of Sumatra, as well as in the middle, west, and south parts of Kalimantan.

Palanivel said the increasing number of hotspots in Indonesia had also contributed to the worsening haze in both peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

“Malaysia urges the Indonesian authority to implement preventive measures and to start putting out the fires on Indonesian soil and forests that have caused the haze to cross the country’s borders (into Malaysia),” he said.

While haze was seen in many parts of Malaysia, as of 5pm yesterday, only Miri saw an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 120.

A total of 37 areas in Malaysia saw moderate API readings, including Cheras and Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur at 70 and 73 respectively, Port Klang (63) and Petaling Jaya (72).

An API reading of between 0 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).

Palanivel also reminded Malay­sians to avoid conducting open burning and report such cases to the Department of Environment or to the Fire and Rescue Department.