KUALA LUMPUR – Parents, schools and communities have been placed on alert as five areas in the country recorded unhealthy air quality as of 3pm today, prompting the Department of Environment (DOE) to activate its haze contingency measures.
According to DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar, Nilai in Negeri Sembilan registered an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 162, while Banting and Johan Setia in Selangor recorded API levels of 154. Putrajaya and Alor Gajah, Melaka, followed closely with readings of 139 and 110, respectively.
“The deterioration in air quality is due to the movement of haze smoke entering the country’s region over the past 24 hours, with no large-scale fires detected within the country so far,” he said in a statement issued by the DOE.
Satellite images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 20, as cited by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on July 19, detected 65 hotspots in Sumatra, 30 in Kalimantan, and four within Malaysia – two each in Pahang and Selangor.
While the ASMC’s regional haze map dated July 20 showed no visible haze plumes, dry conditions were reported in southern Peninsular Malaysia and several parts of Indonesia, including Sumatra and Kalimantan.
To manage the situation, the National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan (PTJK) have been activated to coordinate inter-agency response.
“Among the measures outlined under PTJK include the activation of the Disaster Management Committee by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) if the API exceeds 150 for more than 24 hours.
“In addition, all outdoor activities outside the classroom must cease when the API exceeds 100, while schools, kindergartens and childcare centres will be closed immediately if the API exceeds 200. Cloud seeding operations will also be carried out depending on cloud availability and suitable weather conditions when the API stays above 150 for over 24 hours,” the DOE said.
Authorities are also warning against open burning, especially in high-risk areas such as landfills, forests, peatlands and plantations. Landowners have been urged to monitor their properties closely to prevent encroachment and unauthorised burning.
“The public is reminded not to carry out open burning, as it is an offence under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which carries a fine of up to RM1 million or imprisonment of up to five years, or both,” the statement added.
Additionally, compounds of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may be imposed for each offence.
Members of the public are encouraged to report cases of open burning to the Fire and Rescue Department via 999 or the DOE hotline at 1-800-88-2727. Real-time API readings can be accessed at https://eqms.doe.gov.my/APIMS/main or through the MyJAS EQMS mobile app. - July 20, 2025
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