TOURISTS who are travelling to Malaysia can opt to visit states which are not so badly hit by the haze, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said.
“The haze situation in Penang has improved compared to several days ago.
“The situation is also likely to improve,” Muhammad Bakhtiar said today.
The Air Pollutant Index (API) on the Penang island breached the ‘very unhealthy’ 200 API reading on Sept 18. The API readings on the mainland were reportedly hovering between 150 and 170 on the same day (Sept 18).
The API readings as at 5pm today (Sept 21) were better as compared to Sept 18.
Today, Balik Pulau recorded an API reading of 95, Minden (91), Seberang Jaya (82) and Seberang Perai (77).
The air quality in Penang however, was better this morning. The API readings in the state have been gradually rising since this morning (Sept 21).
Meanwhile, several locations in Malaysia recorded unhealthy API readings as at 5pm. They are Segamat (131), Nilai (138), Seremban (127), Jerantut (114), Temerloh (102), Kuching (159), Samarahan (139), Sarikei (113), Sri Aman (107), Banting (115), Petaling Jaya (145), Klang (113), Shah Alam (128), Batu Muda (158) and Cheras (150).
The API reading between 0 and 50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 300 or above (dangerous).
Muhammad Bakhtiar said that besides Malaysia, parts of Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore were also blanketed with the thick smog.
Muhammad Bakhtiar spoke about the haze situation after launching a pergola at the Linear Park in Padang Tembak today.
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, a private company has contributed RM40,000 to build the shelter.
The shelter was completed in June this year after about two weeks of construction.
Kebun Bunga assemblyman Jason Ong Khan Lee, who was present at the launching ceremony, said Rifle Range folk could now start utilising the shelter for various activities.
He said locals need not go to a far place but can conduct their recreational activities in Padang Tembak.
Ong also expressed his hope that the Tourism Ministry could assist to promote the constituency.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi