Malaysians can use the Malaysian Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (MyCMAQ) to check air pollution forecasts up to five days ahead.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the system, developed by the Meteorological Department, provided high-resolution forecasts of air quality and atmospheric pollutant concentrations in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.
"I hope the public will refer to this platform so they can make preparations and take the necessary action for activities over the next five days," he said during Ministers' Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He was responding to Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (GPS-Betong), who asked about measures taken to ensure accurate and timely air quality information amid the current haze situation.
Arthur said the system was designed to provide more responsive air quality forecasts and haze warnings that were easier for the public to understand.
He added that the 68 automatic air quality monitoring stations operated by the Department of Environment monitored six major air pollutants continuously.
"These stations use measurement equipment based on technical methods and standards recognised by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their readings."
Arthur said the government understood that some areas did not have dedicated monitoring stations.
"In such cases, data from the nearest monitoring station will be used."
He added that the ministry would increase the number of monitoring stations to obtain more accurate readings.
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