SIRA HABIBU The Star 6 Aug 19;
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will call on Asean member countries to take proactive measures to avoid trans-boundary haze during a two-day meeting in Brunei beginning today.
In a statement,the Energy,Science,Technology,Environment and Climate Change Ministry said Malaysia wanted concerted efforts taken in accordance with the Asean Agreement on Trans-boundary Haze ratified by member countries.
Deputy Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis,who will lead the Malaysian delegation to the 21st Technical Working Group,and the Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee Trans-boundary Haze Pollution meetings in Brunei,would submit reports on the measures taken to avoid open burning and haze.
“Malaysia will also activate a new National Action Plan for Open Burning and fine-tune the existing National Haze Action Plan,” it said yesterday.
The annual meeting involving Malaysia,Brunei,Indonesia,Singapore and Thailand will discuss steps that need to be taken to address the trans-boundary pollution issue.
The ministry also noted that the Klang Valley,the southern part of the west coast of the peninsula and the west coast of Sarawak were slightly shrouded in haze as forest fires continued to rage in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
“Based on the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre’s (ASMC) report on Aug 2,25 hotspots were recorded,of which 23 were in Kalimantan and two in Sabah.
“There were also hotspots that could not be detected due to the thick cloud. ASMC’s regional haze map showed the ring of smoke covering burning areas and the forests in Riau and Jambi in Sumatra,as well as in west and central Kalimantan,Indonesia,” it said.
The Air Pollutant Index had also increased in the peninsula and western Sarawak,said the ministry.
The Meteorological Department,it added,had forecast the south-west monsoon to persist until mid-September.
“The formation of the Francisco tropical storm in the Pacific,and the low-pressure system forming in the West Philippines will affect the wind pattern in the region,prolonging the dry spell,” it said.
Malaysia to push for proactive action on haze
New Straits Times 6 Aug 19;
Malaysia will table all the measures it had taken to prevent open burning and haze at the 21st Technical Working Group and Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee Transboundary Haze Pollution meeting.
The meeting in Brunei Darussalam, which ends today, will include the updating of the nation’s National Haze Action Plan and the implementation of the new National Open Burning Action Plan.
The five countries involved in this year’s meeting, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, will discuss the necessary steps to address transboundary haze, in accordance with the Asean agreement on the matter.
In a statement, the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry said the Malaysian delegation would be led by its deputy minister, Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.
“Malaysia will urge member countries to take proactive measures in ensuring forest and peat fires in Asean countries are controlled to prevent the occurrence of transboundary haze,” it said.
Data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre revealed 25 hotspots, a decrease from 39 on Sunday.
From the total, 23 hotspots were in Kalimantan and two were in Sabah. The ministry said some hotspots could not be detected due to heavy clouds.
“The wind from the northwest has brought haze from affected areas in Sumatra and Kalimantan to the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and west Sarawak, which contributed to the rise in Air Pollutant Index readings.
“Weather forecasts until Aug 6 (today) by the Malaysian Meteorological Department have found that the country is in the phase of the southwest monsoon, which is expected to continue until mid-September.
“The Wipha tropical storm approaching northern Vietnam is expected to weaken and completely disappear from Aug 4,” the ministry said, adding that another low-pressure system was being formed near the western Philippines.
It said these weather conditions affected the wind patterns in the region, and the weather was expected to be dry during the forecasted period.
The ministry said it would monitor the status and air quality trend hourly, following the increase in the number of hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia, which could potentially cause transboundary haze pollution in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
“At the same time, investigations and enforcement will continue on hotspots identified locally. To address the hot and dry weather, all agencies involved in haze pollution management will actively implement open burning prevention efforts that could lead to haze,” it added.
The ministry has advised state and local governments, and all land owners to monitor areas prone to open burning such as landfills, forests, peat lands, farms, agricultural and industrial areas.
“Take steps to prevent intrusion by irresponsible parties who may conduct open burning.”
