PETALING JAYA: Residents of Sekijang, Segamat are advised to be cautious with the haze outside their homes as it is bad for health and can cause illnesses, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
The health minister and Sekijang MP said her constituency had been hit badly by the haze with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 145 to 150.
ALSO READ: Hot, dry and hazy weather ahead
An API reading of between 0 and 50 was good, while 51 to 100 was moderate, 101 to 200 was unhealthy, 201 to 300 was very unhealthy and above 301 was deemed hazardous.
"Please be careful residents of Sekijang as the haze can cause health problems like sore throat, flu, lung infection, and eye irritation.
"It is advised for people, especially children to stay home if it is not necessary to go outdoors," she said in a TikTok video on Sunday (March 16).
On Saturday (April 15), Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the haze currently affecting the country was caused by peat fires and open burning.
He said among the measures being taken were monitoring the vulnerable areas such as peatland, flammable areas and other sites often prone to open burning.
