Haze monitoring, patrols underway in Selangor hotspots — Amirudin

By Fitri Hazim Hazam

SHAH ALAM, July 25 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has ordered the state disaster management unit to monitor the haze in several areas.

He said frequent patrols will be done by relevant agencies, especially in hotspots with an Air Pollutant Index (API) of over 100.

“I have asked state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin and the state disaster unit to monitor the haze situation daily, which will be updated according to current needs.

“There has been an improvement (in the haze), though there are several locations that are still logging unhealthy levels, API of over 100,” he said when met after the Selangor Children’s Book Fair officiation ceremony here today.

Amirudin added that he has instructed the state executive council to take proactive steps to prevent the recurrence of three recent fires in Selangor.

“The three fire incidents in Kuala Kubu Baharu, Kajang, and Seri Gombak, thank God, were quickly brought under control, but we will keep monitoring in Kuala Kubu Baharu to ensure there are no more fires …. we worry about the peatland, because if (the fire reaches the area), it will take a long time (to extinguish) and involve a larger operation,” he said.

Previously, the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said Selangor and western Johor were the areas most affected by transboundary haze, due to the southwest monsoon that brings forest fire smoke from central and southern Sumatra in Indonesia.

MetMalaysia vice-chief director (operations) Ambun Dindang said satellite image analysis confirmed a large number of hotspots in those areas, which match the current wind direction, bringing smoke to the peninsular west coast.