05-07-2025
Light Pollution Guideline in the works
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) is developing a Light Pollution Guideline to preserve astronomical activities, including astrotourism.
Its director-general, Datuk Azlikamil Napiah, said the guidelines would minimise the impact of artificial lighting at night, benefiting astronomy-related initiatives and supporting the conservation of the natural environment.
He said the guidelines, expected by 2026, are being formulated with input from stakeholders, including local authorities, academics, industries and astronomy communities.
"The first stakeholder engagement session under the Seminar Sains Angkasa 2025, hosted by MYSA recently, identified the urgent need for a framework to develop Malaysia's own Light Pollution Guideline that can be implemented across the country," he told the New Straits Times.
Among the key proposals discussed was the creation of a sky brightness index for dark-sky areas, such as observatories, campsites, and ecotourism zones, to help preserve these sites and their potential for astronomical research and development.
Besides the focus on the benefits for astronomical activities, the session also called for studying the effects of light pollution on human health, economic development, tourism, cultural heritage and wildlife habitats.
Azlikamil said several stakeholder workshops are scheduled for the future, including engagement with PLANMalaysia, local councils, academic institutions and industries to develop the guidelines.
"Once completed, the draft will be presented to the National Space Committee for consideration."
He added that the guidelines are one of the initiatives under Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030) and align with the National Space Policy 2030 (DAN2030) objective to strengthen the national space ecosystem, promote sustainable development and encourage scientific innovation.
LEADING THE FIGHT
An expert lauded the guidelines and said they come at a crucial time. Citing international dark sky advocates, he noted that light pollution continues to increase globally by an estimated 10 per cent each year.
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Muhamad Syazwan Faid, who specialises in light pollution research, said local authorities and municipal councils could play a pivotal role in mitigating the problem.
He said this could be done by introducing lighting ordinances that required the use of full cut-off fixtures to direct light downward, reduce glare and prevent excessive skyglow.
"The use of low-intensity, warm-coloured LEDs with lower correlated colour temperatures (CCTs) should be prioritised over blue-rich white lighting, which has greater potential to disrupt the night sky," he said.
He also recommended equipping streetlights and outdoor advertisements with timers or motion sensors, alongside routine lighting audits to identify and retrofit over-lit or poorly aligned fixtures.
Syazwan pointed to Chile as a strong example of a developing country with successful dark-sky policies.
In cities like La Serena and Antofagasta, municipal authorities replaced traditional street lighting with certified DarkSky Approved luminaires, following the implementation of Supreme Decree No. 43.
"Malaysia can look to this model, especially for protecting flora and fauna sites like Taman Negara, geoparks or proposed astrotourism zones," he said.
IMPACT ON HUMANS
Syazwan cited a 2024 cohort study from South Korea involving over 4.6 million people, which found a significant association between residential exposure to artificial light at night and increased risk of thyroid cancer, particularly among women.
"The researchers suggest that light at night disrupts melatonin production and circadian rhythm, which are known to influence cancer risk and hormonal regulation," he said.
This adds to growing global evidence linking night-time lighting to obesity, insomnia, depression and other endocrine disorders.
Light pollution also has implications for Islamic astronomical practices, particularly the new moon sightings that mark the beginning of months such as Ramadan, Syawal and Zulhijjah.
Syazwan said artificial skyglow near the horizon reduces the contrast between the thin crescent moon and the background sky, making it harder to observe with the naked eye or telescope.
"These kinds of issues, both scientific and religious, must be included in targeted public awareness efforts.
"Campaigns should not only highlight the ecological and astronomical significance of preserving dark skies, but also the human health risks and cultural-spiritual impacts of uncontrolled lighting."
He added that only through informed communities and inclusive outreach could Malaysia strike a healthier balance between development and night preservation.
