Environment Department: Haze from Sumatra, Kalimantan worsens Malaysia's air quality

New Straits Times

6 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The deterioration in air quality today is still due to the transboundary movement of haze over the past 24 hours.
Environment Department director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said monitoring data showed no large-scale fires had been detected within the country.
He said that as of 3pm today, five areas in the country recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings.
Nilai recorded an API reading of 162, followed by Johan Setia and Banting at 154, Putrajaya at 139, and Alor Gajah at 110.
He said 57 other areas recorded moderate air quality, while another six areas recorded good air quality.
Wan Abdul Latiff, in a statement, said that according to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 20 recorded 65 hotspots in Sumatra, 30 in Kalimantan (both in Indonesia), and four in Malaysia — two each in Pahang and Selangor.
He said the regional haze map, also released by ASMC today, recorded wind movement towards the southwest, with no visible haze smoke rings.
Dry conditions were reported in southern Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, the Lesser Sunda Islands and southern Kalimantan, while isolated hotspots were detected in Sumatra and several in Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan, Vietnam and Thailand.
He said the department has increased enforcement actions and daily patrols in areas at risk of open burning and continues to monitor API readings regularly.
"The National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agency responses to open burning and the haze situation in the country.
"All landowners are advised to closely monitor fire-prone areas such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural zones and industrial areas, and to take steps to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties that could lead to open burning, whether deliberate or accidental," he said.
He added that the public is reminded not to conduct open burning or allow their land or premises to be trespassed by irresponsible parties, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
He said Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 stipulates that those convicted of open burning can be fined up to RM1,000,000, face imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
"In addition, a compound of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may be imposed for each offence."
He said the public is urged to assist in extinguishing small fires and report any open burning or fire incidents to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the department's toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727.