Nice and sunny in Penang

Fortunately, there are certain parts of the country that are not affected by the haze. Penang is one such place. Skies are still blue over Penang and hotels are enjoying good occupancy rates from the tourists escaping from the heat of the hot summer back home.

Penang offers many attractions. Penang hill is one not to be missed. There's also the Butterfly farm. The food is also something to rave about. Penang is also one place where trishaws are still available as a form of public transport.










Credit: Doc's blog

The Star
PENANG: Unlike the Federal capital and other areas badly affected by the haze, Penang continues to experience clear, blue skies.

The Air Pollutant Index here recorded good to moderate readings, with the visibility level at more than 9km.

A Department of Environment spokesman said the API reading at Universiti Sains Malaysia was 45, while Seberang Jaya and Prai registered readings of 61 and 80 respectively.

“We expect the air quality state-wide to remain more or less the same throughout the day.

“API levels below 50 are considered good, between 51 and 100 moderate, between 101 and 200 unhealthy and above 300 hazardous,” she explained.

A state Meteorological Department spokesman said only a slight haze was detected, but there was no reason for concern at all.

A check by The Star showed that no school on the island and mainland cancelled outdoor activity. At pharmacies and medical outlets, no one was seen buying masks.

Hotels were enjoying good business. Grand Plaza Parkroyal Penang public relations manager Karen Chee said the hotel’s occupancy rate was more than 90% with many tourists from the Middle East vacationing here to escape the summer heat back home.

“But we have not had any sudden surge in bookings from Kuala Lumpur, which is badly affected by the haze,” she added.

Chee said hotels along the Batu Feringghi belt were 90% booked for this weekend.