Expedite enactment of a comprehensive Clean Air Act

LETTERS: The recurring haze affecting Malaysians should be a serious warning that we cannot continue to treat air pollution as a seasonal or temporary problem.

The current haze situation is once again affecting communities, schools, outdoor activities and the daily lives of Malaysians.

Several areas have recorded unhealthy air quality, while the authorities have had to consider stronger measures when pollution reaches dangerous levels.

I therefore urge the Government to expedite the enactment of a comprehensive Clean Air Act, with meaningful input from environmental scientists, public-health experts, legal specialists, industry representatives, local authorities and civil society.

Malaysia needs a stronger and more integrated legal framework to protect the fundamental right of our people to breathe clean and safe air.

Such legislation should not focus only on transboundary haze. It should comprehensively address air pollution from industrial activities, vehicles, open burning, construction, agriculture, power generation and other sources.

The law should also strengthen:

1. Air-quality standards and monitoring, with real-time information that is transparent and easily accessible to the public.

2. Pollution prevention and emission controls, particularly for major industrial and commercial sources.

3. Stronger enforcement and meaningful penalties against those who knowingly or negligently cause serious air pollution.

4. Clear accountability for polluters, including appropriate responsibility for companies and operators whose activities contribute to significant environmental harm.

5. Controls on open burning, supported by practical alternatives and stronger enforcement.

6. Public-health protection measures, especially for children, senior citizens, outdoor workers and people who are particularly vulnerable to polluted air.

7. Greater use of technology and scientific data, including satellite monitoring, emissions monitoring and early-warning systems.

8. Clear emergency protocols for severe pollution episodes, so that action can be triggered quickly rather than waiting until the situation becomes a public-health crisis.

At the same time, Malaysia must continue working with Asean partners to tackle transboundary haze at its source. Regional cooperation remains essential because air pollution does not respect national borders.

Malaysia has already proposed initiatives such as science diplomacy and a Sustainable Haze Fund under Asean's transboundary haze framework.

However, regional cooperation should complement — not replace — strong domestic legislation.

I welcome the Department of Environment's recent stakeholder engagement towards strengthening clean-air regulations.

This process should now be broadened and accelerated into a comprehensive legislative framework, drawing on the best available scientific, technical and legal expertise.

We should not wait for another major haze episode before taking decisive action.

Clean air is not a luxury. It is essential to public health, quality of life and sustainable national development.

Malaysia needs to move from a reactive approach to a prevention-based, science-driven and legally enforceable clean-air regime.

The time for a comprehensive Clean Air Act is now.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Chairman

Alliance For A Safe Community

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times