PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has urged Asean member states to step up preventive measures and preparedness against transboundary haze as dry weather conditions push air quality to unhealthy levels in parts of the country.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said Malaysia remained committed to the regional goal of achieving a haze-free Asean by 2030 through the effective implementation of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).
He said Malaysia had conveyed its position through an official message to Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn on Friday (Aug 21).
The call came as 11 areas in Sarawak and Melaka recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 8am on Saturday (Aug 22), according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS).
Serian recorded the highest API reading in the country at 190, followed by Kuching (181), Samarahan (177), Sri Aman (174), Sarikei (172), Sibu (160), Bintulu (157), Samalaju (156), Mukah (156), Miri (152) and Bukit Rambai in Melaka (140).
Kurup said prolonged dry weather in the southern Asean region had resulted in an increase in hotspots and haze activity.
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He said the situation could worsen as the El Nino phenomenon was expected to strengthen gradually over the coming months.
“Although fires are currently still under control within the respective borders of Asean member states, the risk of transboundary haze requires collective preparedness and heightened vigilance at the regional level,” he said in a statement today.
Kurup said transboundary haze pollution caused by land and forest fires must be addressed collectively through preventive action, national preparedness and continuous monitoring based on the principles of the AATHP.
He urged Asean member states to closely monitor high-risk areas, increase hotspot surveillance, enforce open burning restrictions and ensure efficient firefighting readiness to prevent fires from spreading.
Meanwhile, 57 areas nationwide recorded moderate API readings, while none recorded good air quality.
Among the areas with the highest moderate readings were Kapit and Johan Setia in Selangor, both at 97, followed by Shah Alam and ILP Miri at 89.
Sungai Petani and Politeknik Kota Kinabalu recorded 87, Tawau 84, while Minden in Penang and Kuala Selangor recorded 83.
Putrajaya recorded 82, while Seberang Perai and Seri Manjung recorded 81.
API readings of between zero and 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, while readings above 300 are categorised as hazardous.
API data is released hourly based on readings from 68 air quality monitoring stations nationwide.
Malaysia also welcomed the proactive role of the Asean Secretariat as the Interim Asean Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (ACC THPC) in facilitating information sharing, coordinating preparedness measures among member states and strengthening cooperation under the AATHP.
Kurup said Malaysia was confident that stronger commitment and proactive action by all Asean member states would enhance regional resilience in dealing with climate challenges and help safeguard a sustainable and haze-free environment for present and future generations.
