Kuala lumpur: A total of seven hotspots have been detected in Malaysia, with five located in Sarawak and two in Sabah, as air quality continues to decline in several areas of Sarawak. These areas are currently experiencing Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at unhealthy levels.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director-general (Development) Azuri Azizah Saedon stated that the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) report dated August 14 identified 226 hotspots in Kalimantan and an additional five in Sumatra. As of 11 am today, nine areas in Sarawak reported unhealthy API readings, with Kuching at 164, Samarahan at 161, and Serian IPD at 160. Bintulu and Sarikei recorded 157, Sri Aman 153, Sibu 152, Mukah 151, and Samalaju 118.
Azuri Azizah explained that the air quality deterioration is due to haze movement from various directions, including moderate to dense transboundary smoke plumes from West Kalimantan hotspots moving northwards into western Sarawak. Localised smoke plumes were also observed from hotspots in Kalimantan, central Sarawak, and central Sumatra. Several air quality monitoring stations in West Kalimantan and western and central Sarawak reported unhealthy readings.
The ASMC noted that the full extent of the hotspot and haze situation in the region remains unclear due to cloud cover. In response, the DOE has increased enforcement and daily patrols in areas prone to open burning, alongside regular monitoring of API readings.
Azuri Azizah highlighted the activation of the National Open Burning Action Plan and National Haze Action Plan to coordinate governmental responses to open burning and haze. She urged landowners to monitor fire-prone areas, such as landfill sites, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural, and industrial zones, to prevent unauthorized access by irresponsible parties.
The public is reminded to refrain from open burning and to report any incidents of open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the DOE's toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727.