Kuching: Air quality in the country has worsened, with five areas in Sarawak recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 8 am today. Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon identified the affected areas as Serian (171), Kuching (154), Samarahan (154), Sri Aman (139), and Bintulu (124).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azuri Azizah noted that while three areas recorded good air quality, 60 areas reported moderate readings. She highlighted an increase in the number of areas experiencing unhealthy API readings, particularly in Sarawak, due to haze movement from various directions. The Regional Haze Map from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) indicated that dry weather would persist across most of the southern ASEAN region, with isolated showers expected only in northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia.
The ASMC, based in Singapore, reported the detection of 643 hotspots in Kalimantan, 17 in Sumatra, and 25 in Malaysia, including 22 in Sarawak. Extensive hotspots were noted in West Kalimantan, with scattered hotspots elsewhere in Kalimantan. Additional hotspots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, southern and central Sumatra, and eastern Java.
Azuri Azizah described the presence of moderate to thick smoke plumes in West Kalimantan, moving northward into western Sarawak. Other regions of Kalimantan and central Sarawak experienced moderate to dense smoke plumes, while southern and central Sumatra and eastern Java saw light to moderate smoke plumes.
In response to the worsening conditions, the DOE has intensified enforcement efforts and daily patrols in areas prone to open burning. Azuri Azizah confirmed the activation of the National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan to coordinate the efforts of government agencies in addressing open burning and managing haze situations.
The National Haze Action Plan stipulates that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will activate the Disaster Management Committee at district or central levels when API readings exceed 150 for more than 24 hours. Outdoor activities are suspended if readings exceed 100, and schools, kindergartens, and nurseries are closed if readings surpass 200. Cloud seeding operations are contingent on suitable clouds and weather conditions when API readings remain above 150 for over 24 hours.
The public is advised to access the latest API readings via the DOE's website or the MyJAS EQMS application. Azuri Azizah also urged the public to avoid open burning and warned of severe penalties under the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024 for those found guilty.
Azuri Azizah encouraged public cooperation in extinguishing small fires and reporting open burning incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department or the DOE's toll-free line.