KUALA LUMPUR : The haze, which is affecting several areas of the west coast in the peninsular, including the national capital, is caused by burning activities in Central Sumatra, Indonesia and the souther-westerly that brought it to the country.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G.Palanivel said according to the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), moderate haze was detected from the burning area in the Riau region last Saturday.
“ASMC reported there are 88 hotspots detected through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite imagery in Sumatra on June 21,” he said in a statement here today.
The satelite imagery also detected 17 hotspots in the country, including Pahang and Terengganu (one each), Sabah (five) and Sarawak (10). Palanivel said the Department of Environment (DOE) constantly monitored open burning while DOE officcers were empowered to arrest environmental criminals under section 37 C of the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2012.
Meanwhile the DOE portal revealed that 30 areas recorded a moderate air pollutant index (API) nationwide.
– BERNAMA
PNHE PNASO MRA JM CJ 23/06/2014 17-40ST