It is not wrong to adopt Singapore's method in reading the air quality, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today, adding that egos must be set aside as the situation caused by forest fires worsens.
"We could get the new equipment. But until we implement the reading with the new equipment, we can at least follow their (Singapore) guidelines," he told reporters today after an event at the Al-Hijrah TV station in Kuala Lumpur today.
"If the neighbours have better technology, we should use it. There is no need for egos in matters such as these."
Many countries including Singapore and Indonesia measure particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), but Malaysia still measures particulate matter of 10 microns (PM10).
Singapore has a sixth parameter in measuring air pollution, a finer way of measuring air quality compared to Malaysia.
Different levels of reading had led to the suggestion that Malaysia was watering down its API index, a claim that the government has denied.
Zahid (right) said "long term solutions" are needed with neighbours Indonesia, which is the source of the smoke from forest fires.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Wan Jaafar had said that Malaysia's API was in line with guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- TMI
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