There has been no improvement in the air pollution levels today as the country continues to be hit by smoke from forest fires for the second day in a row.

Yesterday, Malaysia recorded its worst haze levels this year as smoke from forest fires caused ‘unhealthy’ levels of pollution in five areas - two in Peninsular Malaysia and three in Sarawak.

The Air Pollution Index readings taken at 5pm today by the Department of Environment show six areas with ‘unhealthy’ levels - Cheras (104), Malacca (109), Kuantan (103), Bintulu (107), Sibu (103) and Samarahan (117).

haze street interview 091006 hazy day Air quality is deemed 'unhealthy' at readings of 101-200, 'very unhealthy' from 201-300 and 'hazardous' if above 300. A reading of 0-50 is deemed 'good' and from 51-100 as 'moderate'.

Air quality in the Klang Valley is hovering near 'unhealthy' levels - Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur (94) and Port Klang (98).

Only 14 out of 49 areas where API readings were taken nationwide have registered ‘good’ air quality. They were mostly in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia - Penang, Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Kelantan.

Raging fires in Sumatra and Borneo

Environment Department director-general Rosnani Ibarahim said hundreds of forest fires were blazing in the Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan and Sumatra, and in Sarawak.

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"Malaysia started to record an increase in hotspot numbers since Sunday due to the dry weather and open burning activities which spread very fast," she told AFP yesterday.

An official from the Meteorological Services Department said the heavy haze caused visibility levels to fall to 2km in Selangor as well as Malacca.

Farmers burn forests every year to clear land for agriculture, sending plumes of smoke across neighbouring countries.

The haze was at its worst in 1997-1998, costing the Southeast Asian region an estimated US$9 billion by disrupting air travel and other business activities.