DOE reports over 1,400 enforcement actions amid ongoing haze crisis
The Department of Environment carried out 1,418 enforcement and monitoring actions nationwide from Aug 3 to Sept 13, while API readings indicated unhealthy air in dozens of locations.
From Aug 3 to Sept 13, the Department of Environment conducted 1,418 enforcement and monitoring actions across Malaysia, comprising 978 monitoring tasks, 83 field directives, 31 instruction notices, and referrals of 305 cases to other authorities. It also pursued 11 compound offers and performed 10 land-title searches to support legal proceedings. At 3 pm, API measurements indicated unhealthy air quality in 37 locations, led by Johan Setia in Selangor with a reading of 184, followed by Cheras, Nilai, Putrajaya and Shah Alam.
The haze coincided with dry conditions and transboundary smoke from hotspots detected in Kalimantan, Sumatra and Sabah. The DOE is focusing on fires in Sarawak, especially peatland and landfill sites, noting that the Selalang Landfill fire has been largely contained, with 87 % extinguished and ongoing monitoring using drones. Continued surveillance of API levels, hotspots and meteorological data will guide further haze-management actions under the National Haze Action Plan.
Why it matters
The extensive enforcement actions and air-quality alerts show the government's response to a regional haze threat affecting public health.
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