REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUALA LUMPUR -- The smog which hit Malaysia worsened with the air pollution index (IPU) at 18 locations showed a not healty record.

According to the Department of Environment portal, until 17:00 local time, Bukit Rambai in Melaka recorded the highest IPU at 171, followed by Bandar Raya Melaka (166), Banting (166), Nilai (160), and Putrajaya (155).

While the Malaysian Meteorological Department with the Malaysian Air Force were prepared to carry out cloud seeding operations if the situation worsened.

Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, Datuk Madius Tangau, said the operation would be carried out if the IPU is still not healthy for 72 hours. It would be done if the atmosphere and the cloud makes it possible to do these operations.

"Based on recent information, the smog is expected to continue due to Southwestern wind which carries the smoke from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia," he said.

He said, based on satellite images on Friday (11/9), there were 304 hotspots in Sumatra, 25 hotspots in Kalimantan and one hotspot in Malaysia Peninsula.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation ordered the Marine Department of Malaysia and the Department of Civil Aviation to issue smog warnings to aircraft and ships in all airports and ports.

Minister of Transportation, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, said there had been two cases involving commercial airlines were forced to land at the airfield because the visibility was less than 600 meters.

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