Malaysia: Higher API recorded in Keningau, Sabah

The Star 1 Apr 16;

KOTA KINABALU: The air quality in Keningau, about 131 kilometres from here, is reported to be still moderate, although a higher Air Pollutant Index (API) was recorded as at 11am Friday.

According to the website of the Department of Environment (DOE), the air quality there recorded API of 61, from 59 about five hours earlier.

In Kota Kinabalu, the air quality was also moderate, with API reading at 53, from 55 earlier.

Meanwhile, Sandakan and Tawau recorded good API at 32 and 31, respectively, as at 11 am.

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.

Members of the public can refer to the portal apims.doe.gov.my to obtain the current API reading. - Bernama

Perlis govt proposes water rationing as Timah Tasoh Dam level drops
ILI SHAZWANI New Straits Times 1 Apr 16;

PADANG BESAR: The state government is proposing to Syarikat Air Perlis (SAP) to consider water rationing for domestic users in the northern part of the state if the water level at Timah Tasoh Dam drops to 26.2 metres.

State executive councillor Datuk Mat Rawi Kassim said as of today, the water level was recorded at 26.49m, about 0.01m below the critical level.

Rawi however said the southern part of Perlis, such as Arau and Kangar, would not be affected as these areas were receiving water supply from the Pedu dam in Kedah.

Based on data from the state Drainage and Irrigation Department, Rawi said the current water capacity at the dam was expected to last for only a month, limited to only domestic usage, if the dry and hot weather persists.

On the other hand, he said padi farmers outside Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) would have to wait until it rains again before water from the dam could be released to their padi fields.

He said this in a press conference during his visit to the dam, accompanied by state Drainage and Irrigation Department deputy director Mohamad Nor Hafidz Nor Azmi today.


Free water in Selangor may run out for some
BERNAMA New Straits Times 1 Apr 16;

SHAH ALAM: The 20 cubic metres of free water now enjoyed by all Selangor households may run out soon for some.

The state government may restrict the benefit to low-income households once the restructuring of the water industry in the state has been completed, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

He cited the prohibitive cost of takeover of the water assets as the main reason for this consideration.

Mohamed Azmin (PKR-Bukit Antarabangsa) was replying to a supplementary question from Saari Sungib (AMANAH-Hulu Klang) in the Selangor state legislative assembly.

Saari had wanted to know whether the state government was considering giving the free water only to low-income households. --Bernama