PORTAL RASMI
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
‘Breathing toxin every day’: Indonesians choked by haze feel helpless as smoke drifts into Malaysia and wider SE Asia
- Admin UKK
- Berita
PONTIANAK, Sept 16 — Struggling to breathe through the acrid haze emanating from wildfires on Indonesia’s Borneo island, residents told AFP today they feared for their health but had little to do but wait out the foul-smelling hazard.
Indonesia, which shares Borneo with Malaysia and Brunei, is grappling with forest fires that have ravaged swathes of the island, partly caused by the El Nino climate phenomenon that has also affected other countries in South-east Asia and beyond.
In Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan province, the thick, yellow smoke was so intense that it had paralysed the international airport over the weekend.
“My eyes sting, my head hurts. Over the past week it’s been getting worse,” resident Anggita Putri told AFP.
“While working, my chest feels tight, my head dizzy, my eyes burning. Even with this unhealthy air, we still must work,” she said.
The air quality index for Pontianak briefly exceeded 1,100 over the weekend, Anggita said — nearly four times the hazardous limit.
“I leave my child at home, so of course I have worries that go beyond just my own health. I’m also concerned about my child’s condition,” said the 28-year-old, who has a three-year-old son.
“The situation is quite bad. I’m worried about the children’s health. Even as an adult, I feel my head aching and dizzy because of the smoky air,” she told AFP.
“But parents still must work, so the children are forced to keep going to daycare, where they remain exposed to the smoke that has already started to enter the house.”
The health ministry said last week that more than 113,000 cases of upper respiratory tract infections had been recorded across seven provinces since the fires began to rage early this year.
Brief rainfall yesterday, which some residents had hoped could alleviate the risk, did little to help and only intensified the thick smoke, Djunita said.
‘Surrounded by smoke’
Local authorities said they were intensifying efforts to bring the haze under control, including by water bombing and cloud seeding.
Indonesia regularly battles wildfires during the dry season, which typically runs from July to October, but the blazes this year have been particularly bad in part because the powerful El Nino — expected to be the strongest since comparable records began four decades ago.
Experts also blame climate change, decades of forest degradation and slash-and-burn land clearing practices that have changed the naturally fire-resistant landscape.
From Borneo, the haze has also spread to neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
The Indonesian government has said that between January and July, more than 202,000 hectares of land burned across the country.
The Nusantara Atlas project put that figure close to 300,000 for the same period, and last week estimated the total area affected, including August, was nearly 896,000 hectares.
For many residents on Borneo, the haze has not only affected their health but also disrupted their livelihood.
“My house is surrounded by smoke... For more than a month, I haven’t opened the windows,” said snack seller Desia, who like many Indonesians only has one name.
She told AFP she had stopped working two weeks ago because she could no longer spend much time outside.
“It’s like we’re breathing toxin every day,” she said.
Desia’s two children, aged 10 and 11, have not gone to school in over a month, spending most of their time in the only room in the house that has an air purifier.
“Right now, I just hope for rain,” she said. “I’ve stopped hoping for anything from the government.” — AFP
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 16 — The Selangor government will review follow-up measures to address the deteriorating haze situation, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the matter would be discussed in detail, based on reports from all relevant parties, at the Selangor State Executive Council meeting scheduled for Friday.
“This Friday we have an exco meeting. We will carefully discuss the follow-up measures, because after it (haze) cleared a bit on Sunday, the situation worsened again, especially yesterday and today. We will see on Friday according to reports from all parties,” he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating the Festival Turath Islami Malaysia 2026, at Masjid Putra here today, which was held in conjunction with the Festival Turath Islami Malaysia 2026.
Amirudin said the state government also needs to obtain information from the State Health Department and related agencies before determining the appropriate measures.
“Appropriate measures include trying to assist at school and supervising our children while they study. This is because they spend a considerable amount of time at school, and we need to limit outdoor activities to avoid exposure to the haze and similar conditions,” said Amirudin.
Six areas in Selangor recorded Air Pollution Index (API) readings at unhealthy levels as of 4.30 pm today.
An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality; 51 to 100 (moderate); 101 to 200 (unhealthy); 201 to 300 (very unhealthy); and above 301 (hazardous). — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — A total of 38 areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings as of 5 pm today.
According to the API management system (APIMS) portal, six areas in Selangor - Johan Setia (183), Shah Alam (170), Petaling Jaya (164), Klang (160) as well as Banting and Kuala Selangor (159), two areas in Kuala Lumpur - Cheras (174) and Batu Muda (170), three areas in Negeri Sembilan - Nilai (170), Seremban (165) and Port Dickson (148), along with Putrajaya (170) - recorded API readings at the unhealthy level.
Areas in the northern region with unhealthy API readings include four in Penang - Minden (166), Balik Pulau (165), Seberang Jaya (160) and Seberang Perai (158), five in Perak - Seri Manjung (166), Tasek Ipoh (164) Tanjung Malim (161), Taiping (157) and Pegoh Ipoh (153), as well as two in Kedah - Sungai Petani (158) dan Kulim Hi-Tech (155).
On the East Coast, three areas in Terengganu recorded unhealthy API readings - Kuala Terengganu (162), Besut (145), Kemaman (141) and Paka (133), one in Kelantan - Tanah Merah (155), and five areas in Pehang Temerloh (155), Jerantut (152), Indera Mahkota, Kuantan (143), Balok Baru and Kuantan (142).
Down south in Johor, three areas recorded unhealthy API readings - Tangkak (134), Kluang (124) and Batu Pahat (103), as well as three areas in Melaka - Bukit Rambai (155), Alor Gajah (153) and Bandaraya Melaka (145).
Also, 21 areas in the country had moderate API readings, including in Sarawak - Kuching (79), Samarahan (67), Sibu (66), IPD Serian (60), Bintulu (58), Mukah (53), Miri (52), and Sabah - Tawau (73), Kimanis (66) and Keningau (54).
API readings between zero to 50 indicate good air quality, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 301 and above (dangerous). — Bernama
Ahmad Zahid: Malaysia prioritises diplomacy, prevention in tackling transboundary haze
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KUCHING — Malaysia prioritises long-term diplomatic cooperation and early preventive measures over seeking compensation from neighbouring countries in addressing the issue of transboundary haze, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Committee Chairman, said a prudent and structured diplomatic approach is the most effective way to address sensitive issues among ASEAN member states while ensuring optimal technical coordination.
“While seeking compensation does not necessarily imply definitive liability that must be borne by any specific country, taking preventive measures early would avoid the need to address such sensitive inter-state issues.
“Diplomatic measures must be pursued alongside technical efforts involving officials from neighbouring countries and Malaysian states,” he told a press conference after chairing the First National Disaster Management High-Level Committee (HLC) Meeting of 2026 at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
He was responding to a question on whether Malaysia intended to raise the issue of losses suffered by the country, particularly in terms of the economy, health and tourism, as a result of transboundary haze with the Indonesian government.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the transboundary haze issue would be officially raised during his working visit to Jakarta from tomorrow until Sept 20 in conjunction with the Halal-20 Conference: 5th World Halal Summit 2026 (H20 Summit).
“That (the transboundary haze issue) is among the topics to be discussed with the Minister of Environment or the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (in the Malaysian context).
“There are seven ministers who will be holding discussions with me, covering other areas such as the halal sector and so forth.
“A key topic I will discuss and coordinate with Bapak Gibran (Indonesian Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka) is the haze problem,” he said.
Regarding assistance to neighbouring countries, Ahmad Zahid said the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) had been directed to stand ready to coordinate cloud seeding operations (OPA) and logistical support to help tackle forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, should an official request be received from the relevant authorities there.
Meanwhile, in a media statement issued following the meeting, Ahmad Zahid said the government is shifting towards an “anticipatory action” approach to address the threat of extreme hot and dry weather caused by Super El Niño.
The measures include hotspot monitoring, ensuring the readiness of firefighting assets, peatland management, enforcement against open burning and disseminating health information to the public.
“The Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG) and the Department of Environment (DOE) have been asked to evaluate the use of tube wells as an alternative water source, including refurbishing existing infrastructure in high-risk areas,” he said.
According to the statement, the National Disaster Management Council (MPBN) had also approved a total allocation of RM5 million this year for OPA and related management, comprising RM2 million for Phase One, approved on June 2, and RM3 million for Phase Two, approved on Sept 2. — BERNAMA
KUCHING: Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) memperkukuh kesiapsiagaan menghadapi bencana menerusi cadangan pemusatan perolehan aset kritikal serta penggunaan sistem amaran awal hingga ke peringkat daerah dan lokaliti.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, langkah itu penting bagi memastikan aset mencukupi dan dapat digerakkan dengan segera ketika bencana, selain membolehkan operasi menyelamat serta pemindahan penduduk dilaksanakan lebih awal.
Menurut beliau, antara aset yang dicadangkan untuk diperoleh NADMA ialah bot dan kenderaan berat sebelum dioperasikan serta diselenggara oleh agensi berkaitan seperti polis, bomba dan pertahanan awam.
“Bagi aset-aset, bot dan kenderaan-kenderaan berat untuk kegunaan agensi pengawasan seperti polis, bomba ataupun pertahanan awam, saranan mesyuarat tadi agar aset-aset ini dibeli oleh NADMA dan dioperasikan oleh agensi-agensi serta diselenggara oleh agensi berkenaan kerana mereka menghadapi permasalahan dari segi pembelian aset dan juga penyelenggaraan aset,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang media selepas Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Peringkat Tertinggi (HLC) Pengurusan Bencana Negara Bilangan 1 Tahun 2026 di Wisma Bapa Malaysia, di sini, pada Rabu.
Pada masa sama, Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid berkata, sistem amaran awal sedia ada perlu dimanfaatkan sehingga ke peringkat daerah dan lokaliti bagi membolehkan tindakan pemindahan dilaksanakan sebelum keadaan menjadi lebih buruk.
“Oleh sebab itu, kita mahu supaya di peringkat koordinasi, di daerah dan peringkat lokaliti, sistem amaran awal yang sedia ada digunakan sebelum banjir berlaku, sebelum luruan hujan berlaku melebihi daripada paras biasa supaya pemindahan itu telah dilakukan awal,” ujarnya.
Menurut beliau, tindakan awal bukan sahaja dapat membantu melindungi nyawa, malah memberi ruang kepada penduduk menyelamatkan dokumen penting serta harta benda sebelum bencana berlaku.
Beliau menambah, keberkesanan pengurusan bencana turut bergantung kepada penyelarasan antara Kerajaan Persekutuan, Kerajaan Negeri, kementerian, jabatan, agensi penguatkuasaan dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang mempunyai aset serta kepakaran berkaitan.
Tambahnya, NGO juga boleh memainkan peranan dalam aspek komunikasi ketika bencana, termasuk menyediakan sistem komunikasi alternatif sekiranya berlaku gangguan bekalan elektrik atau sistem komunikasi sedia ada.
Pendekatan itu mencerminkan penekanan NADMA terhadap kesiapsiagaan sebelum bencana menerusi pengukuhan aset, sistem amaran awal dan koordinasi antara agensi bagi mengurangkan risiko serta melindungi masyarakat.
Turut hadir Timbalan Premier Sarawak merangkap Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri Sarawak (JPBNS), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas dan Timbalan Menteri Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah, Datuk Rubiah Wang. -EDISI UKAS