KUCHING: A programming limitation caused an MBKS Smart Pole to encourage outdoor activities even as the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeded 450.
Kuching South City Council Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng clarified that the numerical reading displayed by the Smart Pole was accurate and had indicated hazardous air quality.
However, the dashboard’s circular gauge and advisory messages had only been configured for readings of up to 450.
“The issue was not that MBKS considered the air quality safe.
“The API reading clearly showed a hazardous level,” he said in a statement.
Wee explained that when the API surpassed 450, the advisory function automatically reverted to the message assigned to the 0 to 50 range, which encourages outdoor activities.
He said readings above 450 had not been anticipated when the system was designed, and no corresponding advisory message had been prepared.
MBKS has since instructed the system provider to redesign the dashboard according to official API classifications, including suitable warnings for exceptionally high readings.
“We take this seriously.
“The purpose of the Smart Pole is to provide useful and timely information to the public. When a technical limitation is identified, we correct it,” he said.
The council also assured that improvements would be made to ensure the numerical reading, gauge and advisory message remain consistent across all API levels.
