The popular Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) open air park looks a little different today. Gone were the crowds, tourists and locals alike, who would congregate to drink, take in the breathtaking sights and smell the roses.

Today, the sight was somewhat pitiful. Because of the hazy condition, only a few people could be seen in the park.

Those present were actually caught by surprise by the horrible weather and the choking conditions.

However, the haze - the worst yet to hit the country - has not deterred these foreigners from maximizing their holidays in the country.

They have some advice for the authorities though. "Please be transparent about the air pollution levels," they urged when approached by malaysiakini.

"In our country, the Air Pollutant Index (API) is always revealed in the newspapers or in the weather report. This should be done here as well," said this couple (photo) from Belgium, on their second day in Malaysia, sitting on the steps facing KLCC's man-made lake.

The couple have 16 more days in the country and are planning to leave the city for Taman Negara (National Park) where they believe things will be better.

It has been reported that areas in Pahang are less hazy than other parts of the country.

"We've been travelling around Asia the past six months. We didn't hear anything about the haze or forest fires here. I think there should be an announcement at the airport on what the air quality levels are," said Canadians Chris and Erin visiting Malaysia for the first time.

They added that although their travels to India exposed them to pollution, it was different here as they could feel the contamination in the air when breathing.

The couple have decided to remain in Malaysia for another week but have ditched their trip to Pangkor for the East Coast islands instead.

Chris and Erin also encouraged tourist agencies to distribute facial masks at an affordable price.

Brits Karen McNamara, 31 and Steve Montford, 32 (photo) were not as surprised as the others on arrival in Kuala Lumpur as they assumed this was a common sight here.

"We had no idea initially what this was and were surprised that nothing was mentioned about it," they said.

The couple added that in the UK, the air quality index is made public and accessible. They however, will not be leaving Malaysia because of the haze.

Perhaps the strongest critics of the conditions came from two young travellers who had just dropped into Kuala Lumpur today en route from Bali to Bangkok.

Californians Amber and Gillian were visibly upset and spoke out their frustrations at the Malaysian government and those responsible for hot spots causing the haze.

"It was so clear in Bali. It's terrible here. The heat has been magnified by the haze. People should stop burning forests. Don't mess with nature," the teenagers advised.

The two initially planned to spend a couple of days here but have now changed their travel arrangements.

"It's a modern city but you haven't been able to control your pollution. This is bad," they added.

Meanwhile, a 29-year-old Iranian student said that he has witnessed many open burnings of forests in the region of Cyberjaya and Putrajaya.

"There has to be - and actually is - a better way of clearing forests. This haze is bad for us at the college. We have hazy conditions almost all the time because the forests are being burnt so often," said the Multimedia University student only wishing to be known as Ali (photo).

For all those whom malaysiakini spoke to today, one question met the team consistently. "Is it always like this here?" - asked unenlightened tourists in reference to the haze.

Meanwhile, the government, as of this afternoon, has revealed the API.