Is the haze back? Klang residents raise concerns over hazy skies

KLANG – Concerns over a possible return of the haze have surfaced on social media after residents in Klang, particularly around Bukit Raja, shared pictures and videos showing hazy conditions this morning.

Several Threads users questioned whether transboundary haze had returned, just weeks after Malaysia experienced improvements in air quality and clearer skies following months of haze linked to wildfires in Indonesia.

Some users also suggested that the conditions could have been caused by a nearby fire, while others questioned whether a factory had caught fire after noticing an unusual smell resembling burning oil in the area.

Despite air-quality readings remaining within good and moderate categories, reports from Klang residents have raised questions about the source of the haze-like conditions.

However, the latest official Air Pollutant Index (API) readings showed no monitored locations nationwide recording unhealthy air quality as of 10am.

According to the government's air-quality monitoring data, 24 areas recorded good API readings, while the remaining 44 recorded moderate levels.

Miri and Limbang in Sarawak recorded the lowest readings at 27, followed by Kota Kinabalu at 31, Langkawi at 32, Temerloh at 36, Alor Setar at 38, Tanah Merah at 47 and Kemaman at 49.

Among locations with moderate air quality, Johan Setia recorded the highest API reading at 79, followed by Klang at 77 and Shah Alam at 72.

Meanwhile, independent air-quality monitoring platform IQAir also reported no locations in the unhealthy category during the same period.

Its Air Quality Index (AQI) readings placed Klang at 99, followed by Johor Bahru at 81, Kuala Lumpur at 74, Putrajaya at 73 and Shah Alam at 71, all within the moderate category.

Johan Setia recorded the highest API reading among locations with moderate air quality at 79, followed by Klang at 77 and Shah Alam at 72.

The readings from the two platforms are based on different measurement systems and should not be directly compared.

Although the available readings did not indicate unhealthy air quality, the reports from Klang residents have raised questions about the source of the haze-like conditions, including whether a local fire could be responsible.