The Star 4 Oct 15;
PETALING JAYA: Deteriorating air quality disrupted flights at two major airports in peninsular Malaysia and MetMalaysia is warning that the haze could last longer than first expected.
Six AirAsia flights to and from KLIA2 and eight to and from Penang International Airport were disrupted as of 5pm.
“This is due to visibility below the minimum level caused by the haze. Affected passengers were notified and attended to accordingly at the airport,” said AirAsia Berhad in a statement.
The airline added that it would continue to monitor the situation closely and keep its guests informed.
A spokesman for Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad said visibility at KLIA had dropped to 0.7km from 2km the previous day.
But he said no flight had to be cancelled at any airports as a result of the haze.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Madius Tangau said MetMalaysia initially predicted the haze to ease by the start of this month.
But the formation of a tropical storm in the Philippines had resulted in consistent south-west winds bringing the transboundary haze back over Malaysia, he said.
“The tropical storm known as the Mujigae, formed on Oct 1, had resulted in the south-west winds,” he said in a statement.
He said Malaysia should get a short reprieve between Oct 6 and Oct 9 following a change in wind direction.
The haze is predicted to make a comeback if fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan are not extinguished on Oct 10 on the heels of another tropical storm in the eastern Philippines.
A total of 23 areas reported unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 5pm compared with only 13 areas at noon.
Areas recording the highest API readings were Seremban (170), Nilai (169), Shah Alam (166), Port Klang (159) and Petaling Jaya (153).
The Health Ministry has also made necessary preparations to face the possible increase in cases of illnesses.
Its deputy minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya said there was enough medicine and face masks to meet the situation.
In George Town, many Penangites cancelled their outdoor activity as the haze worsened and hit the unhealthy level.
The Seberang Prai Municipal Council issued a notice, saying that its Car-Free Morning event today in Jalan Todak 2 and Jalan Todak 3 in Seberang Jaya had been cancelled due to the unhealthy air quality.
The air quality in Penang deteriorated as the day progressed yesterday, with the DOE monitoring station at Universiti Sains Malaysia registering API readings of 71 at 6am, 81 at 11am and 99 at 2pm before breaching the unhealthy level at 4pm with a reading of 109.
However, Penang International Airport senior manager Mohd Ariff Jaafar said there were no flight cancellation as yet.
Worsening haze leads to cancellation of games, low visibility warnings
The Star 4 Oct 15;
PETALING JAYA: The worsening haze situation in the Klang Valley and several parts of the country has led to the cancellation of several sporting events as well as warnings about plunge in visibility.
Four Malaysia Cup matches last night were called off while the Standard Chartered KL Marathon scheduled for today was also cancelled.
The called off matches are – Group A’s Johor Darul Ta’zim II vs Terengganu (Pasir Gudang Stadium), Group B’s Armed Forces vs Sarawak (Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Paroi), Group D’s Police vs Pahang (Shah Alam Stadium) and PKNS FC vs Penang (Selayang Stadium).
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) competitions committee came to the decision based on the request by the match commissioners after the Air Pollution Index (API) soared above the 150 level.
However, the Group C match between T-Team and Felda United at the Sultan Ismail Stadium in Kuala Terengganu will continue as scheduled.
Organisers of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon said in a press statement yesterday that the health and safety of runners remained their top priority.
“Since our last announcement, the haze has unfortunately reached unhealthy levels according to the latest monitored alert.”
The statement said the decision to call off the event was made on the advice of the medical team, the Malaysian Athletics Federation and the Institut Sukan Negara.
“It had the support of co-organisers City Hall and sponsor Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia.
“We appreciate the support shown by our runners throughout this challenging weather situation,” the organisers said.
They advised registered participants to directly proceed to Dataran Merdeka to collect their race entitlements from 6am until noon today.
“To those who are unable to collect their entitlements during that time, an alternative arrangement will be announced through the Standard Chartered KL Marathon social media channels on Facebook and Twitter,” the statement added.
However, it said that route closures and support infrastructure would remain in place along Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Cenderawasih, Jalan Lembah and Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin from 6am until 9am today.
On Friday, organisers stated that the marathon would go ahead as weather conditions had improved and API readings were at moderate level.
The Meteorological Department issued a warning on haze-induced low visibility of less than 5km over the waters off nine states – Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor, Pahang and Sarawak – yesterday.
“The condition is risky to sea vessels without navigational equipment,” it said.
KL Marathon cancelled due to worsening haze
T. AVINESHWARAN The Star 3 Oct 15;
PETALING JAYA: The Standard Chartered KL Marathon has been cancelled due to the worsening haze situation.
In a press statement released on Saturday, the organisers said the health and safety of runners remained their top priority.
“Since our last announcement, the haze has unfortunately reached unhealthy levels according to the latest monitored alert.
“Due to the rapidly deteriorating air quality, and on the advice from the medical team, the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF), and the Institut Sukan Negara, we regret to announce that the Standard Chartered KL Marathon will be cancelled,” the statement said.
The organisers added that the decision was further supported by co-organisers Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as well as sponsor Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia.
“We appreciate the support shown by our runners throughout this challenging weather situation,” the organisers said.
They advised registered participants to directly proceed to Dataran Merdeka to collect their race entitlements from 6am until noon on Sunday Oct 4.
“To those who are unable to collect their entitlements during that time, an alternative arrangement will be announced through the Standard Chartered KL Marathon social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.
“Following the cancellation, route closures and support infrastructure will remain in place along these roads: Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Cenderawasih, Jalan Lembah and Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin on 4th October 2015, from 6am until 9am,” they added.
On Friday, organisers stated that the marathon would go ahead as weather conditions had improved and API readings were at moderate level.
Health Ministry prepares to face prolonged haze
The Star 3 Oct 15;
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has made necessary preparations to face the possible increase in cases of illnesses due to the haze, which is expected to continue for another month.
Its deputy minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya said there was enough medicine and face masks to meet the situation.
"There is no need to worry. So far, there is no alarming increase in haze-related illnesses from our observations at hospitals and clinics nationwide," he told a media conference after opening the Organ Donation Awareness Week on Saturday.
On Friday, Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) head Willem Rampangilei was quoted by local media as saying that the haze problem, caused by forest and plantation fires in Indonesia, would end in a month with the beginning of the rainy season.
He said with the weather shift, the fires in the peat lands would be put out and the haze, which has plagued Malaysia and Singapore for the last two months, would be eliminated.
In another development, Hilmi said the ministry had not received any report on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) affecting the current season's haj pilgrims from Malaysia.
He said special teams have been stationed at airports to conduct health screening on haj pilgrims upon their return since the arrival of the first flight last Sept 29.
Friday, 14 of the 287 Thai haj pilgrims were quarantined on suspicion of being infected by MERS on their return to Thailand.
They were quarantined at the Narathiwat Rachanakarin Hospital.
Meanwhile, Hilmi said the Organ Donation Awareness Week was being carried out at 76 locations nationwide from today.
The target is to get 6,000 new organ donors, he added.
He said that as of August this year, 308,299 Malaysians or 1.1 per cent of the country's population, had pledged to donate their organs.
As of august this year, there are 19,507 Malaysians waiting to carry out organ transplant and most of them are kidney patients, he added. - Bernama
Very unhealthy air quality in seven areas
RAHMAH GHAZALI The Star 4 Oct 15;
PETALING JAYA: Seven areas recorded very unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings with Shah Alam being the highest at 299.
As of 8am Sunday, the haze situation worsened in six other areas.
Very unhealthy readings were recorded in Batu Muda (278), Petaling Jaya (250), Banting (244), Port Klang (234), Putrajaya (231) and Seremban (202), according to the Department of Environment’s website.
Twenty-four areas had unhealthy API readings including Nilai (198), Port Dickson (191), Cheras (182), Bukit Rambai (179), Bandaraya Melaka (174) and SK Jalan Pegoh (171).
Other areas include Kuala Selangor (167), Seberang Jaya 2 (162), USM (159), Jalan Tasek (153) and Muar (146).
Moderate readings were recorded in Langkawi (98), Tanjung Malim (94), Kangar (83), Kuching (80) and both Kota Baru and Tanah Merah (77).
The haze, which has affected the country for more than a month, was due to the open burnings in Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan.
It had also forced schools to be closed, flights cancelled and the latest being the annual Standard Chartered KL Marathon to be called off.
API readings of between 0 and 50 indicate good air quality; 51 and 100 (moderate) 101 and 200 (unhealthy), 201 and 300 (very unhealthy) and over 301 (hazardous).
Supply Of Livestock, Vegetables Not Affected By Haze
Bernama 2 Oct 15;
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The haze that hit the country since last month does not affect the supply of livestock and vegetables.
The supply of chickens, however, was reported to have dropped slightly due to uncertain weather condition, which had also caused health problems to the animal.
In KUANTAN, Cameron Highlands Vegetable Farmers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said the vegetable production at Cameron Highlands Agriculture Centre was also not affected by the haze at the moment.
The area has been recording better Air Pollutant Index (API) reading compared to most areas in other states, he told Bernama when contacted today.
Nevertheless, Chay expressed hope that the haze would disperse and the situation would return to normal as soon as possible, so that the production of fruiting vegetables, such as beans, tomatoes and chilies, would not be affected in the long run.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Federation of Ruminant Breeders Association chairman Samad Kassim said that livestock supplies, such as goat and cattle, were still available as usual.
"However, these livestock are also experiencing cough and pressure due to the weather," he said.
Selangor Chicken Breeders Association chairman Datuk Ishak Mat Arif said, right now, the supply of chickens in the country was slightly affected by the haze as many chicks and adult chickens died due to the bad weather condition.
He said this was because chickens required clean air to grow.
Ishak said that due to the situation, the current price of live chickens had also risen to RM4.80 per kilogramme from RM4.20 previously.
Head of Veterinary Department's Bird Section, Dr Wan Mohd Kamil Wan Nik, on the other hand, said that the department had not received any serious report on chicken-related issues, including shortage of supply.
"The Federation of Livestock Farmer's Association said that there is nothing to worry about. The supply of chickens and eggs are sufficient and the chicken production volume still stand at 1.9 million per day, as usual," he said, referring to a monthly meeting held with the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, recently.
Commenting on the death of chickens due to the haze as reported in certain states, Dr Wan Mohd Kamil said it was not necessarily due to the haze and was probably caused by other factors.
He said chickens bred in indoor farms were less affected by the haze as compared to those in outdoor farms.
In KOTA BAHARU, the supply of fish and marine products had also remained unaffected as more coastal and deep sea fishermen in Kelantan still went out to the sea to fish as the haze situation in the state was not serious.
Bernama checks in Tumpat and Pasir Puteh, the two major fishing areas in the state, found that most of the fisheries industry players were operating as usual.
Tumpat Fishermen Association chairman Abdul Kadir Yusof when contacted said: "The association has about 300 members, comprising coastal and deep sea fishermen. The haze is not serious in this area and they can still go to sea to fish. The volumes of their catches are still the same."
Manager of Jet Tujuh (M) Sdn Bhd, a deep sea fishing company in Pasir Puteh, Roslan Abdul Rahman said the company was still operating as usual and its fishing boats could still go as far as 30 to 50 nautical miles from Tok Bali beach to fish.
In KUALA TERENGGANU, the chairman of Southern Kuala Terengganu Fishermen Association, Hasan Ismail, however, said many fishermen were unable to fish due to the haze, which had limited their visibility and affected their income.
Bernama checks in several fishing villages, such as Kampung Gelugur near Kerteh; Kampung Che Wan in Kijal, Kampung Pantai Kemasik and Kampung Geliga in Kuala Kemaman, found that at least 500 fishermen could not go to sea due to haze.
-- BERNAMA
Better air quality from next week
The Star 3 Oct 15;
PETALING JAYA: The haze is expected to dissipate somewhat with better air quality from Tuesday.
Meteorological Department director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said tropical storm Mujigae was expected to hit Hainan island in China the previous day.
“The presence of this tropical storm will affect wind patterns in our region for a few days and there will be less rainfall.
“After the storm hits land, the wind strength is expected to weaken and our country will experience humidity with rain in the west coast states and western Sarawak and the west coast of Sabah,” she said in a statement yesterday.
As of 4pm yesterday, only three places recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings of over 100, with Malacca city at 103, Bukit Rambai (105) and Port Dickson (102).
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry also said the country’s overall weather was improving with less areas recording unhealthy API readings.
“Cross-border haze from Sumatra and Kalimantan is still influencing our air quality,” it said.
A total of 269 hot spots have been detected in Kalimantan.
Only one hot spot was detected in Sumatra, as the satellite was unable to thoroughly observe the area due to cloud cover.
“The movement of thick and moderate haze from burning areas in central Kalimantan and south of Sumatra combined and formed a ring of haze that covered a huge area in the peninsula’s west coast and east coast,” it added.
As of Thursday, 3,439 open burning cases were detected in the country involving forests (591 cases), agriculture land (1193), industrial land (19), construction land (70), dumping sites (94), bushes (683) and other small open burning incidents (789).
The ministry said compound notices were issued for 216 open burning cases.
“Investigation papers have been prepared for 23 open burning cases for court action,” it said.
