Malaysia is taking measures to address deteriorating air quality, including attempting cloud seeding to induce rain and preparing to close schools, as concerns rise about worsening haze caused by forest fires. During nearly every dry season, smoke originating from land-clearing fires for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia blankets the skies in the region. This smoke poses health risks to the public and raises concerns for tourism and airline operations.
The Department of Environment in Malaysia reported that air quality, especially in the western part of Peninsular Malaysia, is declining, with 11 areas recording unhealthy air pollution index (API) readings. Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, the director general of the department, issued a statement late on Monday addressing these concerns. Malaysia attributed the recent pollution to fires in neighboring Indonesia, although Indonesia denied any smoke crossing into Malaysia.
The Malaysian department revealed earlier in the day that a regional meteorological agency had identified nearly 250 “hotspots” indicating fires on Indonesia’s Sumatra and Borneo islands, with none detected in Malaysia. Initiatives to mitigate the pollution, such as cloud seeding for rain and other measures, will be implemented when API readings persist at or above 150 for more than 24 hours, according to Wan Abdul Latiff.
In terms of school closures, outdoor activities must cease when API readings reach 100, and schools will close when they hit 200, as per his statement. Greenpeace, an environmental advocacy group, has called on countries in the region to enact legislation preventing plantation companies from causing air pollution.
Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s regional campaign strategist, Heng Kiah Chun, stated that implementing a domestic transboundary haze act is essential to serve as a deterrent, particularly in cases where certain industry players contribute to the problem. Singapore, known for its clean air standards, already passed a cross-border air pollution law in 2014, making those responsible for haze both criminally and civilly liable.
