'M’sia will adopt PM2.5 air quality reading method next year': Minister

SINGAPORE — Malaysia is to fully adopt the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading method that can measure fine particles less than 2.5 micron (PM2.5) by end of 2016, Bernama reported, citing Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

The minister said PM2.5 would provide a more accurate measurement of the country’s API, compared with the current way of measuring fine dust of less than 10 microns (PM10), according to the state news agency.

“Installation should be done in stages as there are more than 50 monitoring stations in the country, compared with only five or six in Singapore, that’s why they can implement the PM2.5 measurement since 2014.

“In fact, another 13 monitoring stations will be built after the implementation of the PM2.5 particulate measurement,” he was quoted as saying at the parliament lobby yesterday (Oct 21).

The API reading parameter currently used in Malaysia was still acceptable and in accordance with international standards, Mr Wan Junaidi said, according to Bernama.

Mr Wan Junaidi also denied widespread reports on social media about “yellow haze” in Malaysia, advising people to always check the validity of any haze-related news before believing or spreading it.

“The truth is, there is no yellow haze as the Department of Environment (DOE) said it. It (yellow haze) happens in Indonesia but it doesn’t happen here (Malaysia),” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.