PETALING JAYA: A total of 28 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, while Sri Aman in Sarawak recorded a very unhealthy reading, as of 10am on Saturday (Aug 29).
Sri Aman recorded an API reading of 221, the highest in the country, according to the latest data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
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Of the 28 areas that reported unhealthy API readings, eight are in Sarawak, namely Serian (194), Sarikei (190), Kuching (169), Samarahan (168), Mukah (165), Sibu (161), Kapit (154) and Bintulu (150).
Other affected areas are Sungai Petani (161), Langkawi (157) and Alor Setar (155) in Kedah; Minden (160), Seberang Perai (156) and Seberang Jaya (156) in Penang; Cheras (160) and Batu Muda (155) in Kuala Lumpur; Kangar (155) in Perlis; Taiping (155), Tanjung Malim (154), Tasek Ipoh (151) and Seri Manjung (110) in Perak; Shah Alam (154), Johan Setia (153) and Petaling Jaya (133) in Selangor; Seremban (136) and Nilai (152) in Negri Sembilan; Segamat (142) in Johor; and Putrajaya (153).
Meanwhile, the remaining 38 areas nationwide recorded moderate API readings, with none recording a good API reading.
API readings of between zero and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
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API data is released hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide.
According to a report by the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on Friday (Aug 28), satellite imagery detected 1,738 hotspots in Kalimantan, 36 in Sumatra and six in Malaysia - one in Sabah and five in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, the Environment Department has stepped up enforcement and daily patrols in areas at risk of open burning and is monitoring API readings.
The National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan were also activated to coordinate efforts to address the situation.
All landowners have been advised to closely monitor areas prone to fires, including landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural areas and industrial sites.
The public is reminded not to carry out open burning or allow irresponsible parties to enter or trespass onto their land or premises, resulting in open burning.
Under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024, offenders face fines of between RM25,000 and RM1mil, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The latest API readings can be found on the APIMS website at https://eqms.doe.gov.my/APIMS/main or via the MyJAS EQMS application.
