Latest news with #WanAbdulLatiff
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
DOE Steps Up Enforcement To Prevent Open Burning Amid Haze
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- As a proactive preventive measure, the Department of Environment (DOE) has intensified ground patrols and physical monitoring in fire-prone areas, particularly agricultural lands, peatlands, bush areas, abandoned plantations, and landfills identified as high-risk. DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the department had been conducting patrols and enforcement operations to prevent open burning, which contributes to the haze, especially in the current hot and dry weather. "Since July 8, 2025, the delegation of authority to various enforcement agencies has come into effect. This strategic initiative is aimed at strengthening enforcement actions on the ground, particularly in addressing the issue of open burning, which contributes to haze situations. "This delegation of authority allows swift, integrated and more comprehensive actions to be implemented quickly by the relevant agencies," he said in a statement today. He said that as of July 21, 2025, the DOE had conducted 4,121 ground patrols and 640 drone surveillance operations. In terms of enforcement action, the DOE had issued 58 directives, initiated 27 court actions and imposed 59 compounds on parties found to have committed open burning offences throughout 2025. Wan Abdul Latiff said that for better preparedness and coordination, the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan had also been activated since Feb 26 to coordinate government agency responses in addressing open burning and managing haze situations in the country. "In addition, joint patrols and monitoring efforts are also being conducted with strategic partner agencies such as the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (MCDF) and other enforcement agencies at the state and district levels," he said. He also urged the public not to carry out any form of open burning, particularly for agricultural purposes such as land clearing, disposal of agricultural waste or abandoned land. "Stern action will be taken against individuals or parties found to be in violation of Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. Offenders convicted of open burning can be fined up to RM1 million or imprisoned for up to five years, or both.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Putrajaya among 5 areas with unhealthy air quality
Five areas in the peninsula recorded unhealthy API readings as of 3pm today, and 57 areas recorded moderate air quality. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Air quality in parts of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan has worsened, with Putrajaya also breaching unhealthy levels, according to the Air Pollutant Index (API) from the environment department. Environment department director-general Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar said the API reading in Putrajaya reached 139 as at 3pm, while the reading in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, crept up to 162 from 156 recorded at 9am. In Selangor, the API reading in Banting increased from 151 to 154, but it dropped minimally in Johan Setia (Klang) from 155 to 154, within the same period. In Alor Gajah, Melaka, the API reading reached 110. The data, from the environment department's air pollutant index management system, represents an average of readings taken over 24 hours, updated hourly. An index figure of below 50 indicates good air quality, 51-100 moderate, 101-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous. Wan Abdul Latiff said 57 areas recorded moderate air quality and six areas registered good air quality. He said the air quality deterioration was influenced by the movement of smoke and haze entering the west coast region of the country over the past 24 hours. 'No large-scale fires in the country have been detected,' he said. According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore, satellite images from yesterday showed 65 hotspots in Sumatra, 30 in Kalimantan and four in Malaysia – two each in Pahang and Selangor. Wan Abdul Latiff said ASMC's regional haze map today showed wind blowing southwest, with no major haze plumes observed. 'Dry conditions were reported across southern Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands and southern Kalimantan. 'Isolated hotspots were detected in Sumatra, with several more in Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan, Vietnam and Thailand,' he said.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
DoE: Balok Baru, Kemaman air quality worsens due to landfill fire
KUALA LUMPUR: A fire at the Jerangau–Jabor landfill in Mukim Sungai Karang, Kuantan, Pahang, has contributed to unhealthy air quality levels in Balok Baru, Kuantan and Kemaman, Terengganu, said the Department of Environment (DoE). Its director-general, Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, said as of 3pm today, nine areas nationwide recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, with the highest in Seremban (API 155), followed by Alor Gajah (157), Nilai (138), and Banting (135). Other locations with unhealthy readings were Cheras (132), Temerloh (152), Balok Baru Kuantan (152), Kemaman (153), and Johan Setia (152). "Apart from the landfill fire, the deterioration in air quality across most affected areas continues to be influenced by transboundary haze," he said in a statement. Satellite data released by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on July 20, based on NOAA-20 satellite imagery, detected 40 hotspots in Sumatra, 64 in Kalimantan, and 19 within Malaysia, including 12 in Sabah, three each in Pahang and Sarawak, and one in Selangor. The ASMC's Regional Haze Map issued on July 21 showed smoke plumes and wind movement heading southwest. Dry conditions were reported across southern Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and southern Kalimantan, with isolated hotspots detected in Vietnam and Thailand as well. Wan Abdul Latiff said his department has intensified enforcement operations and daily patrols in areas at risk of open burning. An API reading between 0 and 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, while 101 to 200 is classified as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy and more than 300 is hazardous.
The Star
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
States in the thick of it
PETALING JAYA: Five locations recorded unhealthy air quality as of 3pm yesterday, according to the Environment Department (DOE). They are Nilai, Negri Sembilan, with an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 162, Banting and Johan Setia in Selangor with readings of 154, Putrajaya (139) and Alor Gajah, Melaka (110). In addition, 57 areas across the country recorded moderate air quality levels, while six areas were reported to have good air quality. An API reading of 0-50 is categorised as good; 51-100 as moderate; 101-200 as unhealthy; 201-300 as very unhealthy; and anything above 300 is hazardous. DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffa said yesterday's deterioration in air quality was caused by haze drifting into Malaysia over the past 24 hours. 'No large scale fires have been detected within the country so far,' he said in a statement. According to a July 19 report issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre in Singapore, satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed the presence of 65 hotspots in Sumatra, 30 in Kalimantan and four in Malaysia – with two each in Pahang and Selangor. 'Dry conditions were reported across the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as in Sumatra, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands and southern Kalimantan,' Wan Abdul Latiff said. 'Isolated hotspots were detected in Sumatra, while a number of hotspots were also observed in Peninsular Malaysia, Kalimantan, Vietnam and Thailand. 'The DOE has stepped up enforcement operations and daily patrols in areas that are prone to open burning and continues to monitor API readings nationwide.' Wan Abdul Latiff said the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have both been activated to coordinate government agency efforts in tackling open burning and addressing the haze. Landowners have been urged to closely monitor areas under their care, especially locations that are frequently affected by fires such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural zones and industrial sites. 'They are advised to take precautionary measures to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties that could lead to either intentional or accidental open burning,' he said. He said that under the National Haze Action Plan, the National Disaster Management Agency will activate disaster management committees at the district, state or federal level when the API remains above 150 for more than 24 hours. 'All outdoor school activities must be suspended when the API exceeds 100. Schools, kindergartens and childcare centres are to be closed immediately if the API exceeds 200,' he said. According to Wan Abdul Latiff, cloud seeding operations will be carried out if weather conditions are suitable and the API remains above 150 for more than 24 hours.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Malaysia steps up haze reporting amid regional alert
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has commenced the daily submission of Situation Reports to the Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution, starting today. This follows a Level 2 alert issued by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on Saturday for the southern Asean region, signalling heightened concern over transboundary haze in the region. Department of Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the reports include detailed information on fire incidents, underlying causes, preparedness measures and mitigation actions undertaken on the ground. "The submissions are regarded as official and reliable sources of information, and serve as key references to support regional coordination and response efforts," he told the New Straits Times. Wan Abdul Latiff was responding to the Level 2 alert for the southern Asean region issued by ASMC. When asked about the current haze situation in Malaysia, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, Wan Abdul Latiff said air quality data from 68 monitoring stations nationwide indicated that the haze has been categorised as moderate since yesterday. "As of now, only five stations are recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels, mostly in areas along the central west coast," he said. The highest API reading was recorded in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, at 163, he added. Wan Abdul Latiff also confirmed that no areas have recorded very unhealthy API levels (200 and above) so far. "Later today, conditions are expected to improve. The regional haze map issued by the ASMC shows no smoke haze over the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. "This is consistent with the reduction in the number of hotspots detected in Sumatra, with 65 compared to 79 hotspots on Friday. "However, with dry weather conditions expected to persist in the coming days, the risk of haze recurrence remains.
