Latest news with #JohanSetia
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Haze: PdPR to be implemented if API exceeds 200, says Fadhlina
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will implement Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) if the Air Pollution Index (API) reading exceeds 200, says Fadhlina Sidek. The Education Minister said that this decision was guided by existing guidelines, which are aligned with the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and the Health Ministry. "According to the guidelines, if the API exceeds 100, outdoor activities are not allowed. If it exceeds 200, PdPR will be implemented, meaning learning will take place online. "The guidelines are clear, and instructions have been given to all state directors to make prompt decisions based on the API guidance," she told reporters after officiating at the National Level Digital Utilisation and Technology Awards (Duta) 2024 here on Tuesday (July 22). According to the Malaysian Air Pollution Index Management System portal of the Environment Department (DOE), Nilai in Negri Sembilan recorded an unhealthy API of 116, and Johan Setia in Selangor recorded 154, as of 4pm on Tuesday. According to the classification by the DOE, an API reading between 101 and 200 is categorized as unhealthy and can affect high-risk groups, including the elderly, children, and individuals with respiratory illnesses. API data is released hourly based on 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide, and the public can refer to the website APIMS or download the MyJAS EQMS app via Google Play or the App Store. – Bernama
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
API levels as of 3.30pm (July 22)
Based on readings from the Environment Department's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), two areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 3.30pm today, with Johan Setia in Selangor the worst affected.
Barnama
2 days ago
- General
- Barnama
Negeri Sembilan Activates Haze And Open Burning Response Plan
SEREMBAN, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Negeri Sembilan government has activated its state-level response plan based on the National Haze Action Plan and National Open Burning Action Plan, in line with instructions from the Department of Environment (DOE). State Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman S. Veerapan said the plan was activated after the Air Pollutant Index (API) level exceeded the 150 threshold for a continuous 24-hour period. 'The state government will intensify patrols and enforcement against open burning activities, especially in high-risk agricultural and industrial areas. 'We will also assess the implementation of cloud seeding technology in collaboration with federal agencies should air pollution levels continue to rise,' he said in a statement today. He also urged the people in Negeri Sembilan to play an active role by reporting open burning activities through the DOE complaint hotline and supporting the state's efforts towards a more sustainable future. According to DOE's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, eight areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy API levels as of 6 pm today. Alor Gajah in Melaka recorded the highest reading at 157, followed by Seremban (155), Negeri Sembilan; Kemaman (153), Terengganu; Banting, Selangor; Temerloh and Balok Baru in Kuantan, Pahang, each at 152; Nilai (146), Negeri Sembilan; and Johan Setia (140), Selangor. An API reading between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy, which can have adverse effects on high-risk groups, including the elderly, children, and individuals with respiratory conditions. -- BERNAMA
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Environment Department: Haze from Sumatra, Kalimantan worsens Malaysia's air quality
KUALA LUMPUR: The deterioration in air quality today is still due to the transboundary movement of haze over the past 24 hours. Environment Department director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said monitoring data showed no large-scale fires had been detected within the country. He said that as of 3pm today, five areas in the country recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings. Nilai recorded an API reading of 162, followed by Johan Setia and Banting at 154, Putrajaya at 139, and Alor Gajah at 110. He said 57 other areas recorded moderate air quality, while another six areas recorded good air quality. Wan Abdul Latiff, in a statement, said that according to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 20 recorded 65 hotspots in Sumatra, 30 in Kalimantan (both in Indonesia), and four in Malaysia — two each in Pahang and Selangor. He said the regional haze map, also released by ASMC today, recorded wind movement towards the southwest, with no visible haze smoke rings. Dry conditions were reported in southern Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, the Lesser Sunda Islands and southern Kalimantan, while isolated hotspots were detected in Sumatra and several in Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan, Vietnam and Thailand. He said the department has increased enforcement actions and daily patrols in areas at risk of open burning and continues to monitor API readings regularly. "The National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agency responses to open burning and the haze situation in the country. "All landowners are advised to closely monitor fire-prone areas such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural zones and industrial areas, and to take steps to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties that could lead to open burning, whether deliberate or accidental," he said. He added that the public is reminded not to conduct open burning or allow their land or premises to be trespassed by irresponsible parties, whether intentionally or unintentionally. He said Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 stipulates that those convicted of open burning can be fined up to RM1,000,000, face imprisonment of up to five years, or both. "In addition, a compound of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may be imposed for each offence." He said the public is urged to assist in extinguishing small fires and report any open burning or fire incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the department's toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727.
The Star
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Klang Valley breathes easier as air quality improves
Suffocating sight: A man capturing a hazy view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, seen from Taman Duta. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star PETALING JAYA: The Air Pollutant Index (API) for Petaling Jaya has improved to a moderate level (69) as of 3.30pm yesterday after reaching an unhealthy level (165) on Wednesday. On July 2, the API reading for Petaling Jaya was between 162 and 165 in Petaling Jaya from morning until evening. API readings between 101 to 200 are considered unhealthy. Only Johan Setia in Klang recorded an API as high as 104 on Wednesday morning, while other stations in Selangor recorded API between 66 and 99. According to the Environment Department Air Pollutant Index Management System, there were no unhealthy levels reported in their 68 stations yesterday. A total of 28 API stations had good air quality, while 40 stations had moderate levels. The API readings for Kuala Lumpur were also moderate between 77 and 85 as of 3.30pm. Sarawak's air quality was overall good, while in Sabah, for Kota Kinabalu and Keningau, the API were in the 50s range. In May, the Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the southwest monsoon is from May 10 until September. This is marked by winds blowing consistently from the southwest across the country. During the southwest monsoon, lower humidity levels typically lead to reduced rain cloud formation across most areas. As a result, the country will experience reduced rainfall during this period, with more dry days than rainy ones, he said. However, he added that heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms may still occur in the western parts of the peninsula, northern Sarawak and the western part of Sabah, particularly in the early morning, due to the squall line phenomenon. This occurs when winds converge, creating a line of thunderstorms which can last for several hours.
