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Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Environment Department activates haze action plan as Kuala Selangor air quality worsens
PUTRAJAYA, July 24 — Only Kuala Selangor recorded an unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) reading as of 3 pm this afternoon, believed to be affected by transboundary haze, said Environment director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. In a statement today, he said the Department of Environment's (DOE) API reading recorded two areas having good air quality status while 64 areas recorded moderate air quality status. 'The deterioration in air quality in the affected areas is still affected by transboundary haze. There have been no major fires that could cause local haze,' he said. Based on a report by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) based in Singapore yesterday, Wan Abdul Latif said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 20 satellite images found that there were 42 hotspots detected in Sumatra and 91 hotspots detected in Kalimantan. Apart from that, he said, there were 13 hot spots detected in the country, 11 in Sarawak and one each in Pahang and Terengganu. 'DOE has increased enforcement and daily patrol activities to areas with potential for open burning activities as well as monitoring API readings from time to time,' he said. He said the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) had been activated to coordinate the actions of government agencies in addressing the issue of open burning and facing the national haze situation. 'All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas that are prone to catch fire such as landfills, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural and industrial areas. 'Landowners are also asked to take steps to prevent encroachment by irresponsible parties that cause open burning either for specific purposes or accidentally,' he said. Wan Abdul Latiff said the DOE, together with the ministry and every agency involved in haze disaster management, would always act quickly and responsively based on the actions listed in PTJK. Among the actions that need to be implemented is to stop all activities outside the classroom when the API reading exceeds 100 while schools, kindergartens and nurseries are immediately closed when the API reading exceeds 200. 'The public is reminded not to carry out open burning or allow their land or premises to be entered or encroached upon by irresponsible parties that cause open burning for specific purposes or accidentally,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
King advises public to protect health amid rising haze levels
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysiam has advised the public to remain vigilant amid the current dry weather conditions which could increase the risk of fires and haze. His Majesty said the situation could also affect health, particularly among children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory problems. 'The public is advised to take care of their health and monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings from time to time. This is because the hot and dry weather can cause fires to spread rapidly,' His Majesty said in a statement uploaded to the Facebook page of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. His Majesty also decreed that the authorities intensify patrols and monitoring of any open burning activities that could affect the country's air quality. The country is currently experiencing haze, believed to be caused by open burning following the detection of several hotspots in Sumatra, Indonesia, as reported by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). Department of Environment Director-General Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar was reported as saying today that 66 out of 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide recorded moderate air quality levels as of 9 am. He said the remaining two stations recorded good air quality readings. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Clearer skies for Malaysia as DOE reports improved air quality nationwide
ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 23 — Air quality across Malaysia has improved, with no locations reporting unhealthy levels on the Air Pollutant Index (API) as of this morning, according to the Department of Environment. Its director-general, Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, said that at 9am, 66 out of 68 air quality monitoring stations recorded 'moderate' air quality, while the remaining two recorded 'good' readings. 'Based on these readings, no stations have recorded any unhealthy air quality,' he told reporters. 'This improvement is a positive development amid concerns over recurring haze and dry weather in parts of the country and the region.' Wan Abdul Latiff was speaking after the conclusion of the 14th emergency simulation exercise under the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE) at the Second Link crossing here today. Despite the overall positive readings, Wan Abdul Latiff said the DOE has detected several hotspots in Sabah, Sarawak, and Pahang. He said the department will closely observe these hotspots through 24-hour monitoring to ensure early detection and intervention. 'DOE personnel will increase their patrols, especially in high-risk areas such as plantations, peatlands, secondary forests, and landfill sites,' he said. He also issued a stern warning that the DOE will not hesitate to take action under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 against any individuals or parties who conduct open burning, which he identified as a main contributor to haze in the country. Malaysia has been experiencing increased air pollution recently, with nine areas in the country reporting unhealthy levels on Monday. Under the API system, readings of 0-50 are categorised as 'good,' 51-100 as 'moderate,' 101-200 as 'unhealthy,' 201-300 as 'very unhealthy,' and any reading above 300 is considered 'hazardous.'
Barnama
2 days ago
- Climate
- Barnama
Moderate Air Quality In Most Areas, No Unhealthy Reading Recorded
ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 23 (Bernama) -- A total of 66 out of 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide recorded moderate air quality levels this morning Environment Department director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said readings as of 9 am this morning also showed two more stations recording good air quality readings. 'This means that no station recorded unhealthy air status," he said when commenting on the air quality following the haze. He said this at a press conference after the 14th emergency simulation exercise to deal with chemical spills by the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE) on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link Expressway (Linkedua), here today. According to him, several hot spots were also detected in Sabah, Sarawak, and Pahang, and DOE would continue to monitor. He added that action would be taken against individuals who engage in open burning under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. Wan Abdul Latiff was previously quoted as saying that DOE has increased intensive patrols and physical monitoring in flammable areas, especially agricultural land, peatlands, bushland, abandoned plantations and waste disposal sites that have been identified as high-risk. According to him, patrol activities and enforcement operations to prevent open burning which contributes to haze, especially in the current hot and dry weather conditions, will be stepped up. -- BERNAMA
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
DOE intensifies patrols to curb open burning amid haze risks
KUALA LUMPUR: 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. 'In addition, a compound of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may be imposed for each offence,' he said. 'At the same time, all operators of industries such as quarries, palm oil mills, premix plants and other industrial sectors are required to ensure that their air pollution control systems are functioning properly. Emissions from chimneys must be constantly monitored and controlled to prevent air pollution that could affect public health,' he said. He added that the DOE remained committed to enhancing monitoring and enforcement as well as collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure that the country's air quality remained under control. 'Members of the public who witness or suspect open burning incidents can channel information to the DOE via the toll-free hotline 1-800-88-2727, e-mail aduan@ or through the official MyJAS EQMS mobile app,' he said.
