KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Air quality continued to deteriorate in Malaysia on Tuesday, with 32 areas recording unhealthy readings, according to data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
The northern Borneo state of Sarawak continued to be the worst hit, with the town of Serian recording an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 181, while Sri Aman recorded 166, the state capital Kuching (165), Samarahan (159), Sarikei (152) and Mukah (101).
Other areas include the states of Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and the Federal territories, which include the national capital Kuala Lumpur (153) and the administrative capital Putrajaya (155).
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability reiterated that this month's widespread haze stems from prolonged hot and dry conditions linked to El Nino, below-average rainfall, and extensive domestic and cross-border open burning.
Members of the public, particularly high-risk individuals such as expectant mothers, senior citizens, and patients with cardiac or pulmonary conditions, are advised to minimize outdoor exposure, wear protective face masks, maintain high hydration levels, and strictly refrain from open burning. ■