PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will take a stronger stance on transboundary haze at the 21st Meeting of the Committee (COM) and Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) in Vietnam this December, while continuing negotiations on its proposed Science Diplomacy and Sustainable Haze Fund initiatives.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the government was also stepping up public health protection, air quality monitoring and emergency preparedness in response to the haze affecting the country.
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“The government views transboundary haze incidents seriously, and its priority is to protect public health, particularly among children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.”
He said this in a written parliamentary reply to Ganabatirau Veraman (Klang), who asked about measures to protect public health amid the haze, particularly for children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, as well as Malaysia’s cooperation with Indonesia and Asean, hotspot monitoring and contingency plans.
Arthur said the Health Ministry’s National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) had activated its Haze Operations Room on Sept 4 to strengthen monitoring, coordination and the public health response.
“The ministry had also intensified surveillance for haze-related illnesses, particularly in affected areas, while stepping up public health advisories through mass media and official social media platforms to encourage people to reduce exposure and limit outdoor activities,” he added.
Meanwhile, Arthur said the Department of Environment (DOE) continued to monitor air quality through 68 automatic monitoring stations nationwide, with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings available to the public through its Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
He said the DOE had also intensified enforcement against open burning through ground patrols and drone surveillance, particularly in fire-prone areas, with support from other enforcement agencies.
“Hotspots, open burning and haze conditions are monitored using information from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre to help identify potential sources and track the movement of smoke.
“Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) monitors weather conditions and provides forecasts on rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind direction, while its Fire Danger Rating System tracks forest and peatland fire risks across Malaysia and the Asean region, including seven-day fire forecasts,” he said.
Arthur said MetMalaysia’s Malaysian Community Multiscale Air Quality Model, launched on March 31, could forecast potential air pollution and haze conditions in Malaysia up to five days ahead.
He also said the National Open Burning Action Plan had been activated on Feb 15, while procedures to prevent peatland fires were activated on Feb 26 as part of coordinated efforts to prevent and manage haze.
“Under the National Haze Action Plan, government agencies will implement measures according to alert levels, API readings and prevailing conditions, including suspending outdoor school activities or closing schools, activating disaster management committees and conducting cloud seeding operations when necessary,” he said.
On regional cooperation, Arthur said Malaysia had actively engaged Asean mechanisms and bilateral channels with Indonesia to strengthen prevention and firefighting efforts.
“Malaysia sent a letter to the Asean secretary-general on Aug 21 urging member states to intensify prevention, preparedness and immediate firefighting measures to tackle fires that could cause transboundary haze.
“The letter was circulated to Asean member states on Aug 26.”
He said Malaysia also held discussions with Indonesia’s Environment Minister on Aug 24 on preparations for El Niño, the need for immediate firefighting measures and Malaysia’s offer of assistance.
He added that the offer was formalised through a letter on Sept 9, covering aerial firefighting capabilities, including helicopter water-bombing operations, amphibious aircraft support and cloud seeding.
“Indonesia subsequently agreed to accept Malaysia’s offer during a meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and the Indonesian President on Sept 18, with both countries coordinating the deployment of assistance through their respective foreign ministries.”
Arthur said about 90 per cent of cloud seeding operations conducted so far had successfully produced rainfall, adding that the efforts would continue to reduce the impact of haze and prevent conditions from worsening.
Based on MetMalaysia’s analysis, the country entered the inter-monsoon period on Oct 9, which is expected to last until the end of the month.
During this period, winds are expected to be weak and blow from various directions. The risk of transboundary haze is therefore expected to gradually decline following the end of the Southwest Monsoon, despite continued fires in neighbouring countries.