According to the official statement released on August 22 by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, 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, with 11 areas recording unhealthy index readings across Sarawak and Melaka.
Malaysia Urges ASEAN Action as Haze Pushes API Readings to Unhealthy Levels
Dry weather in the southern ASEAN region has triggered a sharp rise in hotspots and haze activity, according to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System. As of 8:00 AM on August 22, 11 areas in Sarawak and Melaka recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings. Serian registered the highest reading in the country at 190, followed closely by Kuching at 181 and Samarahan at 177, based on reports from The Star.
Further compounding the regional crisis, Sri Aman reached 174, Sarikei hit 172, and Sibu recorded 160. Additional affected locations include Bintulu (157), Samalaju (156), Mukah (156), Miri (152), and Bukit Rambai in Melaka, which logged an API of 140. Meanwhile, Bernama reported that 57 areas nationwide experienced moderate air quality, with zero locations recording good conditions.
Pro Tip: According to official index guidelines, an API reading of 0 to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, and anything above 300 is hazardous. Monitor hourly updates from the Air Pollutant Index Management System before planning outdoor activities.
Regional Diplomacy and the AATHP Framework
To combat the worsening crisis, Malaysia formally communicated its position to ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn on August 21, according to ministerial statements. Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup emphasized that Malaysia remains fully committed to achieving the regional goal of a haze-free ASEAN by 2030 through the effective implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP).
While fires remain under control within individual member borders, Kurup noted that the risk of transboundary pollution demands collective regional vigilance. Bernama confirmed that the diplomatic outreach stressed the importance of early interventions, accurate information exchange, and close regional coordination.
El Niño Threats and Future Firefighting Readiness
Climate patterns threaten to exacerbate the current air quality challenges in the coming months. Kurup warned that the ongoing El Niño phenomenon is expected to strengthen gradually, increasing the likelihood of widespread land and forest fires if strict preventative controls are ignored.
In response, Malaysia has called on all ASEAN neighbors to heighten hotspot surveillance, enforce strict bans on open burning, closely monitor high-risk zones, and maintain efficient firefighting operational readiness. Furthermore, Malaysia welcomed the proactive stance of the ASEAN Secretariat acting as the Interim ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control in facilitating information sharing across member states.
Did You Know? The ASEAN Secretariat acts as the Interim ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control to streamline data sharing and emergency response coordination among member countries under the AATHP framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the recent haze in Malaysia?
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, prolonged dry weather conditions in the southern ASEAN region led to an increase in hotspots and land and forest fires.
Which areas recorded the highest API levels?
As of August 22, Serian recorded the highest API reading at 190, followed by Kuching at 181, Samarahan at 177, and Sri Aman at 174, according to the Air Pollutant Index Management System.
What is the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution?
The AATHP is a regional environmental agreement aimed at mitigating land and forest fire pollution through joint monitoring, prevention, and national preparedness across ASEAN member states.
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