Malaysians may soon be able to view real-time Air Pollutant Index (API) data as the country is once again blanketed by haze, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

At present, the Department of Environment's (DOE) API is based on a 24-hour average, which has led to complaints that the data did not reflect the current air quality.

According to The Sun, Wan Junaidi said he will propose the matter at the next cabinet meeting and if approved, it can be implemented as early as Sept 7.

"The National Haze and Dry Weather Committee has agreed that the real time and API readings be put on the Meteorological Department's website.

"If cabinet approves, it will start from Sept 7," he was quoted as saying.

This morning, the haze situation in the Klang Valley significantly deteriorated as visibility in several areas fell while an acrid smell was notably present in the air.

Despite this, the API recorded by the DOE showed "good" and "moderate" readings as of 11am.

The reading is little comfort for those in the Klang Valley particularly as the Merdeka Day parade is set to take place in two days.

At Dataran Merdeka, where the rehearsal for the parade will be taking place, people were seen wearing masks as they performed in the smog.

In Sungai Buloh, visibility was poor, with people only being able to see up to 1km away.

In Petaling Jaya, visibility is slightly better, but the horizon has become a line of white blur.

According to the DOE, Petaling Jaya recorded an API of 46, Shah Alam (51), Cheras (45), Putrajaya (61) and Port Klang (55) as at 11am.

A reading under 50 means the air quality is good while a reading between 50 and 100 means the air quality is moderate.

The DOE's API uses PM10 standard limit, which is less sensitive compared to Singapore's PM2.5 measures.

However, the DOE said it is in the process of upgrading its measurements.

"DOE is finalising the new Malaysian Air Quality Guidelines to include the standard limit of PM2.5 in the ambient air which is based on World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006 Guidelines.

"Subsequently, we will need to come up with PM2.5 Air Quality Index System and data integration with the existing system in Environmental Data Centre (EDC) prior to including it in API calculation," it said in its frequently asked question section.