The air pollution index (API) reading for Labuan as at 2.50pm today was 74, which is considered moderate though slightly higher than in other parts of Sabah.

Sabah Department of Environment (DoE) director Datin Hanili Ghazali told Bernama that hotpots (which indicate the presence of wildfires) in certain areas of Kalimantan were detected to be the cause of the pollution.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was reported to have said today, that there were 82 hotspots in Kalimantan, Indonesia, and the resulting haze had crossed over to Sarawak.

An API reading of between 0 and 50 is considered healthy, 51-100 (moderate), 101-200 (unhealthy), 201-300 (very unhealthy), and 301 and above (hazardous).

Meanwhile, four areas in Sarawak recorded unhealthy API readings as of 2.50pm today, with Sri Aman at 129; Samarahan at 128; Kuching at 119 and Sarikei at 104.

Labuan DoE director, Norani AK Frederick advised members of the public to avoid open burning in view of the current weather condition.

"The moderate air quality in Labuan recorded since Saturday could be caused by transboundary haze pollution. We are monitoring the situation and placing our enforcement officers on standby to respond to open burning complaints," she added.