Poor air quality, hazy conditions in the state expected to linger on till end of next month

Workers repairing a roof in Kuching. They are seemingly unperturbed by the haze that engulfed the city yesterday. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The deteriorating air quality and hazy conditions in several areas in the state are caused by transboundary haze from West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said many hotspots were detected in Indonesia: six in Kalimantan and 84 in Sumatera.

“The haze we are experiencing is not from Sarawak. It is from Kalimantan due to the cycle of wind at Borneo Island, which has brought smoke from fires in Kalimantan to Sarawak,” he told a press conference yesterday. 

As of 3pm yesterday, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in four areas recorded ‘unhealthy’ levels. In Samarahan and Sri Aman, the API was 128, Kuching (119), and Sarikei (102).

Wan Junaidi said his ministry had expressed its concern to Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry over the matter.

“A meeting was held in Jakarta and we have urged Indonesia to take immediate action on the increasing number of hotspots and to intensify efforts to put out the fires.” He estimated that the hazy conditions in the state was expected to persist for another month due to the southwest monsoon, which is characterised by a hot and dry season that will continue until next month end.

Wan Junaidi advised all parties not to carry out open burning as it would worsen the haze situation.

Under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act, 1974, those convicted of carrying out open burning can be fined not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisoned of up to five years or both, he cautioned. He added that a maximum compound of RM2,000 could also be imposed on each offence.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Public Health, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, said upper respiratory tract illnesses had increased due to the worsening haze condition in the state.According to him, there has been an increase in the number of upper respiratory tract cases reported at government hospitals and clinics across the state.

“Those suffering from upper respiratory tract illnesses like asthma are advised to take precautionary measures, such as wearing face masks, due to the unhealthy air condition,” he said when contacted.

Wan Junaidi (centre) fielding questions at the press conference. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

“For those without upper respiratory tract problems, minimise outdoor activities and drink more water.”

Dr Jerip also commented that if the API hit over 200, the government would check to see if schools needed to be closed.

“In previous years, when the API hit 250, schools in Sarawak were closed,” he said, adding that among the government agencies monitoring the haze condition were Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Department of Environment, and Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment.

He also noted that the state and federal governments would work together to tackle the haze issue diplomatically to reduce instances of open burning.

In a related development, the Indonesian Consulate-General here could not give comments on the current haze situation as he needed to obtain a clearer picture on the situation from their government.