Samarahan only area with very unhealthy air quality

Sarawak remains the state worst hit by haze, with nine areas recording unhealthy air quality this morning. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has consented to end the emergency declared in Serian, Sarawak, over the haze situation.The Prime Minister’s Office said the Agong gave his consent after taking into account the advice of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg, as well as agency reports showing that the air pollutant index (API) reading in Serian was no longer at a hazardous level.“However, the haze in Sarawak has not fully dissipated, and API readings in several areas, particularly in Serian and Samarahan, are at very unhealthy levels,” it said in a statement.It said the federal and state governments would continue monitoring the situation."Residents in the affected areas are advised to limit outdoor activities and comply with the authorities’ directions," it said.The state of emergency was declared in Serian last Friday after haze pushed the API reading into the hazardous range.As of noon today, the Air Pollutant Index Management System portal showed Samarahan and Serian in Sarawak as the only areas in the country with very unhealthy air quality, with API readings of 236 and 222 respectively.Unhealthy API readings were recorded in 36 areas, while 22 had moderate readings and one had a good reading.Sarawak remained the worst-hit state, with nine areas recording unhealthy air quality: Sarikei (197), Kuching (193), Sibu (185), Sri Aman (183), Mukah (182), Bintulu and ILP Miri (169 each), Miri (166) and Limbang (138).An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100, moderate; 101 to 200, unhealthy; 201 to 300, very unhealthy; and above 300, hazardous. Samarahan recorded the country’s only very unhealthy API reading of 230 as of 9am today.

(Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Samarahan in Sarawak was the only area in the country to record very unhealthy air quality as of 9am today, with an air pollutant index (API) reading of 230.The Air Pollutant Index Management System portal reported unhealthy API readings in 41 areas, while 23 areas recorded moderate readings and two recorded good readings.Sarawak remained the worst-hit state, with 11 areas recording unhealthy air quality: Sarikei and Serian (195 each), Kuching (193), Sibu (184), Mukah and Sri Aman (182 each), Samalaju (178), Bintulu (170), ILP Miri (169), Miri (166) and Limbang (148).In Sabah, Kota Kinabalu and Kimanis recorded unhealthy readings of 153.Nine areas in the Klang Valley also recorded unhealthy API readings. Johan Setia recorded the highest reading at 185, followed by Shah Alam (167), Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (162 each), Cheras (160), Klang (159), Petaling Jaya and Banting (158 each), and Kuala Selangor (157).In Negeri Sembilan, Nilai recorded 166, Seremban 164 and Port Dickson 132.In Perak, Seri Manjung and Tanjung Malim recorded 160 each, followed by Tasek Ipoh (157), Pegoh Ipoh (152) and Taiping (147).In Johor, Segamat recorded 158, Batu Pahat 157, Tangkak 154 and Kluang 151. In Melaka, Bukit Rambai recorded 155, Alor Gajah 154 and Bandaraya Melaka 120.In Pahang, Temerloh recorded 152 and Jerantut 103.An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100 moderate; 101 to 200 unhealthy; 201 to 300 very unhealthy; and 300 and above hazardous.