PETALING JAYA: Four out of six Air Quality Monitoring Stations in Selangor recorded a decrease on Thursday (July 24), namely in Petaling Jaya (83), Klang (80), Banting (81), and Johan Setia (88) due to rain and a reduction in the number of hot spots.
State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin stated that only Kuala Selangor recorded an increase to unhealthy readings, namely 126 as of 11am, compared to 86 on Wednesday (July 23).
“Shah Alam recorded an increase in the API reading to 90 compared to 87 on Wednesday, but still at a moderate air quality level.
“The highest API reading of 150 was recorded in Johan Setia and Banting on July 21,” she said.
She added that following the cross-border haze phenomenon, especially in the Johan Setia and Banting areas a few days ago, and most recently in Kuala Selangor, the National Haze Action Plan Meeting chaired by the Selangor State Secretary, Datuk Dr Ahmad Fadzli Ahmad Tajuddin, was held on Thursday (July 24).
Additionally, she mentioned all schools in Selangor have received a letter outlining the steps to be taken if the API reading in the school area reaches unhealthy levels (API > 100) or dangerous.
This includes suspending extracurricular activities to ensure the health and safety of all students, Jamaliah said.
“All schools must be closed immediately if the API exceeds 200. Principals and Headmasters are also requested to monitor the current API readings via the official website of the Environment Department to enable immediate and appropriate action to be taken.
“Parents who are concerned about their children’s health are allowed not to send their children to school and are asked to inform the school authorities.
“As of today (July 24), the Selangor State Health Department has announced that no cases of illness associated with the haze phenomenon have been reported in Selangor, and no cases of heat stroke have been recorded in the state,” she said.
With the Southwest Monsoon expected to continue until September 2025, the public is advised to refer to official portals such as the Environment Department, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, and other relevant agencies to obtain the latest information and advice on air quality and haze.
Jamaliah stated that the state government, through its Environment Department, will continue to activate the Open Burning Prevention Action Plan as a measure to deal with possibilities that could affect air quality during the current hot and dry weather period.
These include increased ground monitoring patrols and the use of drone technology in high-risk areas such as peatlands and landfills, and instructions to local authorities as well as plantation owners to take preventive measures and strict control to prevent fires, she said.
Simultaneously, the standard operating procedures of the Peatland Fire Prevention Programme have also been activated involving several related agencies with notices issued to landowners and notification to the Forestry Department and local authorities to conduct ground patrols and monitoring through observation towers.
“To strengthen implementation on the ground, patrols were also carried out in high-risk areas, in addition to the implementation of the Operation to Prevent Open Burning in identified hotspot areas.
“We also urge the cooperation of the public not to carry out any open burning activities, whether in residential, agricultural, or open spaces. Haze not only affects air quality, but can also pose serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly, and chronic respiratory patients,” she said.
To report any open burning activities, contact the Selangor Environment Department Hotline at 1-800-88-2727 or via the Environment Department eComplaint application.
