Latest news with #WanAbdulLatiffWanJaffar
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.
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.
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Climate
- AsiaOne
Unhealthy air quality in Malaysia, NEA warns of potential transboundary haze, Malaysia News
Unhealthy air quality has been recorded in eight regions of Malaysia and can be partially attributed to worsening transboundary haze, said its Environment Department. Malaysia's Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded eight readings above 100 as at Monday (July 21) morning. An API reading between 0 and 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and above 300 is hazardous. Alor Gajah in Melaka recorded the highest API of 160, while other areas such as Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Banting in Selangor also recorded API over 150. According to the Environment Department's director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar the worsening air quality is "influenced by the movement of smoke and haze entering the west coast region of the country over the past 24 hours", reported Bernama. Chances of transboundary haze happening: NEA According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), dry conditions were observed over most parts of the southern Asean region overnight, while wet weather prevailed over rest of the Asean region. Moderate transboundary smoke plumes were observed emanating from hotspots in parts of Sumatra, which drifted in the northeast direction towards Peninsular Malaysia. NEA also forecasts dry conditions to continue over most parts of the southern Asean region while showers are expected elsewhere in the region over the next few days. "Hotspots and smoke haze activities may intensify over fire-prone areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions, with chances of transboundary haze occurrence," NEA said in its latest haze update at 11am on July 21. The occurrence of transboundary haze in the southern Asean region is more common during the traditional dry season between June and early October, said NEA. During extended periods of dry weather conditions, increased burning activities tend to occur in the fire-prone areas of the region. Meanwhile, data from Indonesia indicated 1,208 fire hotspots across Sumatra as at Sunday, with 586 located in Riau alone. To combat this, Indonesia will be stepping up efforts beginning with cloud seeding in Riau, which will last for at least seven days, reported Bernama. There have also been instances of local forest and bush fires in Malaysia as well, said Fire and Rescue director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, crediting it to the hot weather and human activity. "Natural combustion is unlikely in this weather, so it's highly probable the fires were caused by human actions, even though no specific forensic investigation has been carried out," he told Bernama. [[nid:716056]]
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.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Climate
- Barnama
Unhealthy Air Quality In Five Areas As At 3PM
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- Five areas in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Putrajaya and Melaka recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at 3 pm today. Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said these areas were Nilai (with an API of 162), Banting and Johan Setia (both 154), Putrajaya (139), and Alor Gajah (110). He said the deterioration in air quality was due to haze drifting into the region over the past 24 hours, with no large-scale fires detected in the country so far. 'According to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), satellite imagery from NOAA-20 on July 19 recorded 65 hotspots in Sumatra, 30 in Kalimantan, and four in Malaysia — two each in Pahang and Selangor,' he said in a statement. Wan Abdul Latiff said the ASMC Regional Haze Situation dated July 20 showed no haze smoke plumes detected, but dry conditions were reported in the southern parts of Peninsular Malaysia and several regions in Indonesia, including Sumatra and Kalimantan. To address the haze situation, he said the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) had been activated to coordinate responses among various government agencies. 'Among the measures outlined in the PTJK are the activation of the Disaster Management Committee by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) if the API reading exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours. 'In addition, all outdoor activities at schools must be stopped when the API exceeds 100, while schools, kindergartens and childcare centres will be closed immediately if the reading exceeds 200. Cloud seeding operations will also be conducted subject to cloud presence and suitable weather conditions when the API exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours,' he added. Wan Abdul Latiff also urged all landowners to monitor high-risk areas such as landfill sites, forests, peatlands and plantations to prevent encroachment or open burning.
