Haze back in Malaysia as fires rage
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Malaysians are bracing for the return of choking smog after the air quality in several areas worsened, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) in northwestern Kedah state reaching an unhealthy level of 104 - the highest reading in the country.
The province of Riau in Sumatra, Indonesia has been covered in smog since early this week when the number of fire hotspots spiked at 488, the highest level in two months following Southeast Asia’s worst haze pollution in 16 years.
The tourist haven of Langkawi Island climbed to 96 on the API on Wednesday while in Penang it hit 103.
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 (moderate), 101 and 200 (unhealthy), 201 and 300 (very unhealthy), and 301 and above (hazardous).
This latest haze situation is a result of another spike in slash-and-burn hotspots in Sumatra, where farmers are clearing jungle and scrubland for plantations.
Penang Education Department director Ahmad Tarmizi Kamaruddin said all schools in areas where the API had hit above the 200 mark would be closed immediately.
“If the API hit more than 150, all outdoor activities such as Physical Education must stop,” he said.
Penang Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin advised the public to wear three-ply face masks.
