The ban by the Cabinet on Air Pollution Index (API) readings, brought into the limelight again following the recurring haze, has been politicised, said an official with the Department of Environment today.

Che Asmah Ibrahim, principal assistant director with the Air Quality Monitoring Unit, said the decision not to announce the figures did not imply that the department was "hiding anything".

She said the whole thing has been turned into a 'political' issue, but did not elaborate further.

"We still let people know about the condition of the air, qualitatively. The figures will only confuse the public as they may interpret them in many different ways," said Che Asmah.

She added that the disclosure of API readings would not make any difference in helping the public understand the situation as the authorities have already taken steps to keep them informed.

"We told them when the air was at an unhealthy level. This means just the same as the figures," she said.

In 1997, the government banned public disclosure of detailed API readings for fear of certain quarters manipulating the figures.

Various health and environmental groups have criticised the directive, concerned that if the severity of the haze is kept from public knowledge, the people may not know its adverse effects on their health.

Several ministers had then countered that a constantly highlighted negative API reading could affect the tourism industry.

Qualitative reports

The DOE has not issued any detailed API readings since the haze first resurfaced this year a few days ago. Instead, it has released 'qualitative' reports on air conditions at their monitoring stations nationwide.

An API reading of 0 to 50 indicates 'good' air quality while a reading of 51 to 100 indicates 'moderate'. Readings of 101 to 200 and 201 to 300 fall within the 'unhealthy' and 'very unhealthy' categories respectively while a reading of 301 to 500 indicates 'hazardous' air quality.

According to Che Asmah, as of this morning, the API registered at seven stations were of 'good' air quality, 38 were 'moderate' and two 'unhealthy' readings at Perai and Kuala Selangor. On Wednesday, five stations recorded the surrounding air quality as unhealthy.

Citing the reduced figures, she said it was expected that the haze will clear soon with the help of rain that is forecast over the next few days.

Meanwhile, environmental activist Gurmit Singh said the API figures should be released to ease public suspicion and worry over the haze.

"The public has every right to information, not confusion," he said.

"It (the haze) is bad in Klang Valley. We should be worried until we are told the API readings," added Gurmit.

He said the authorities have yet to inform the public about the major air pollutants such as toxic gases and therefore people at large still do not realise how their health can be adversely affected.

Apart from forest fires in Indonesia's Sumatra which were deliberately set to clear lands for farming, open burning in several local areas, including in Batang Berjuntai near Kuala Selangor, has contributed to the haze which made a reappearance this week.

On Monday, the government renewed its promise to battle open burning amid the return of a light haze. Yesterday, an Indonesian working for a peat land owner was charged with open burning in the Shah Alam Sessions Court.