National air quality still good - Wan Junaidi

The quality of air throughout the country is generally good with only five areas recording a moderate air pollution index (API) as of 11am today.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the data on the status of current air quality in the country showed that the forest fires in West Aceh did not affect Malaysia so far.

"For now, the highest API was recorded in Kota Bahru, Kelantan with a reading of 57. However, no areas recorded an unhealthy API reading," he said.

An API of between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 moderate, 101 and 200 unhealthy, 201 and 300 very unhealthy and 300 and above hazardous.

On Tuesday, the Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency issued a warning on the increased threat of forest fires following the dry weather which had hit Aceh province, causing it to be engulfed in haze.

According to a report by the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) based in Singapore yesterday, 14 hotspots were detected in Sumatera and Kalimantan, Indonesia while four hotspots were detected in Malaysia, namely Pahang and Sabah.

In view of the hot and dry weather which began in early June, Wan Junaidi reminded the public not to do any open burnings or allow anyone to enter their land or premises, causing open burning.

Those found guilty of open burning could be sentenced under Section 29(A), of the Environmental Air Quality Act 1974, and fined up to RM500,000 or imprisoned up to five years or both.

In addition, a maximum compound of RM2,000 could be imposed for every offence.

-- BERNAMA