Kuala lumpur: The Department of Environment (DOE) carried out 1,418 enforcement and monitoring actions nationwide during the haze period from Aug 3 to Sept 13. Its deputy director-general (Development), Azuri Azizah Saedon, stated that these actions included 978 monitoring activities, 83 field directives, 31 instruction notices, 305 cases referred to other agencies for further action, 11 compound offers, and 10 land title searches to support investigations and court proceedings.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, these efforts reflect the DOE's ongoing commitment to detecting and preventing open burning and addressing potential sources of pollution that could worsen air quality during haze episodes. Enforcement efforts are also bolstered through inspections and patrols in areas identified as high-risk, such as agricultural land, peatlands, plantations, landfill sites, and locations prone to open burning.

Any offences identified during inspections and investigations will be followed by further action, based on the evidence gathered in the field. Meanwhile, Azuri Azizah reported that Air Pollutant Index (API) readings at 3 pm today showed unhealthy air quality in 37 areas, including Johan Setia in Selangor, which recorded the highest reading at 184, followed by Cheras in Kuala Lumpur at 175, Nilai in Negeri Sembilan at 172, and Putrajaya and Shah Alam, both at 171.

The situation is occurring amid persistent dry weather in parts of the southern ASEAN region. The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) report yesterday identified 240 hotspots in Kalimantan, 355 in Sumatra, and one in Malaysia (Sabah). The ASMC also noted moderate to dense transboundary haze over Kalimantan, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and parts of southern Vietnam and Cambodia.

Azuri Azizah also noted that the DOE is closely monitoring fires in Sarawak, especially those involving peatlands and landfill sites, as hot, dry conditions increase the risk. The fire at the Selalang Landfill in Sarikei affected an area of 1.5 hectares. As of today, about 1.3 hectares (87 per cent) has been extinguished, with firefighting efforts continuing on the remaining 0.2 hectares. Sarawak DOE will continue to monitor the fire site, including using drones to obtain the latest information on the fire's status and the extent of the affected area.

Air quality is also being monitored to assess the fire's potential impact on local air quality, with further action to be taken based on on-the-ground conditions and joint assessments with relevant agencies. At the same time, Azuri Azizah mentioned that the DOE will keep monitoring API readings, hotspots, and developments in transboundary haze, using meteorological information to assess the situation and coordinate haze management efforts at district, state, and national levels.

Coordinated measures are being implemented under the National Haze Action Plan, which provides for the National Disaster Management Agency to activate the Disaster Management Committee if the API reading remains above 150 for more than 24 hours.