KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Port Klang was the only spot to record unhealthy Air Pollution Index at 11am with a reading of 116 today.

The Department of Environment (DOE) in a statement today said 14 areas recorded good API, moderate API (36) and Port Klang in Selangor recorded unhealthy API at 11am.

API at 0 to 50 level is good, moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300) and hazardous (more than 301).

Among the areas which recorded high API were Seberang Jaya 2, Penang (83), Alor Setar, Kedah (78), Banting, Selangor (77), Bukit Rambai, Melaka (76), Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (73), Nilai, Negeri Sembilan (70) and Seri Manjung, Perak (73).

According to DOE, satellite image issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on July 30 showed the number of hotspots in Sumatra, Indonesia was 22 compared to 122 on July 29.

According to DOE, the southwest monsoon wind is blowing from the hotspots and uncontrolled open burning areas in Sumatra, Indonesia resulted in the cross border haze.

"It also caused a loss of quality air on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia especially in Port Klang. Based on the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the hot and dry spell in the region is expected to prolong till October," DOE said.

In this regard, DOE had activated the National Haze Action Plan and also activated its Open Burning Prevention Action Plan for all states to implement the Standard Operating Procedure to monitor the status of air quality throughout the country.

DOE also reminded the people on the Prohibition Order on Open Burning in Selangor, Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as well as Tudan, Permai Jaya, Kuala Baram in Miri, Sarawak were still in force with Peat Soil Fire Prevention programme to prevent the worsening of local air quality.

Members of the public are advised not to carry out open burning and cooperate by reporting any burning activities to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or DOE at 1-800-88-2727.