GEORGE TOWN: The unhealthy air may have hit a high 105 on the Air Pollutant Index (API) here yesterday but avid angler Tan Kok Thye is undeterred by the haze and weather conditions.

The 50--year--old was placing his trust in herbal tea and water, which he believes would keep him hydrated.

"This haze doesn't affect me because I drink 'leng teh' (herbal tea) to stay cool. Drink it without sugar and it's good for the body. The haze won't affect you, trust me," said the contractor, a resident of Weld Quay.

Tan, who was spotted casting his net under the midday sun along his usual haunt along Gurney Drive, said his love for fishing outweighed the problems caused by the haze.

The haze condition has worsened in Seberang Jaya 2, Perai yesterday, with the reading hitting 105 as of 5pm. This was an increase from a 103 reading at 11am.

The API reading for the island rose from 78 in the morning to 80 at 5pm.

The rise in the API readings on Tuesday prompted the state government to issue an order to executive councillors and assemblymen to reduce outdoor activities.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's ground activities lined up for the week have been postponed due to the high API readings, his office confirmed.

State Environment, Health and Caring Society committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said about 150,000 surgical masks were distributed to assemblymen to ensure distribution to school students.

"We want to ensure children's health first before we distribute them to the public," he said, reiterating that outdoor activities planned by the state government were reduced considerably.

A check with the Meterological Department in Petaling Jaya revealed that cloud seeding to induce rain would be conducted once the API readings hit 100 and remains unchanged for three straight days.