Haze to linger till next year as El Nino turns up the heat

KUALA LUMPUR: Hazy Malaysian skies are set for a longer stay, until early next year, amid the prolonged hot and dry weather.

This is as the El Nino phenomenon is expected to intensify and increase the risk of open fires.

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the El Nino phenomenon was expected to intensify into a Super El Nino stage from October this year until January 2027, with its effects persisting until June.

He said the southwest monsoon occurring alongside El Nino was causing lower rainfall and hotter, drier conditions.

"The prolonged dry conditions will increase the risk of open fires, especially in areas prone to fires, while the gas situation is expected to worsen the haze," he said.

Arthur said the haze problem before this usually occurred for one to two months before the weather returned to normal.

Meanwhile, he said Malaysia would assist Indonesia in tackling forest and land fires, including by providing aerial firefighting capabilities.

He said the matter was stated in a letter sent to Indonesia's environment minister on Sept 9 and subsequently agreed to by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Malaysia has offered to help fight forest fires in Kalimantan involving more than 1,400 hotspots.

Arthur said the assistance offered included aerial water-bombing operations using helicopters, firefighting support using amphibious aircraft and the implementation of cloud seeding operations (OPA).

"The form and scope of assistance will be detailed jointly with the Indonesian government based on the needs and suitability of the situation on the ground, subject to the agreement of both countries' agencies.

"The assistance is in line with preparedness, (coordinated by) the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), involving the Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had, during his recent visit to Jakarta, said Indonesia had accepted Malaysia's offer to help put out forest fires that had caused the haze to persist for several weeks.

Malaysia had also agreed to participate in the long-term planning to prevent recurring haze following forest fires in Sumatra and several other areas in Indonesia.

Arthur said coordination efforts concerning hot weather and haze had begun in June through the National Haze and Dry Weather Main Committee meeting chaired on June 15.

"The meeting became the main coordination platform to ensure the country's preparedness in dealing with hot and dry weather, open-burning risks and possible transboundary haze that could affect public health, public well-being and the economy.

"I also led the Malaysian delegation at the 27th Technical Working Group (TWG) and Ministerial Sub-Regional Steering Committee (MSC) meeting in Bali, Indonesia, recently," he said.

He said Malaysia's preparedness included strengthening prevention, monitoring, preparedness and response measures to fires and transboundary haze.

"At the meeting, Malaysia informed the group of the implementation plan, which may involve Indonesian airspace, and Indonesia agreed to coordinate the matter with the relevant agencies.

"Both countries also agreed to explore bilateral cooperation opportunities and finalise a memorandum of understanding, particularly in environmental and climate change matters," he said.

Arthur said his ministry had also sent a letter to the Asean secretary-general regarding transboundary pollution on Aug 21.

"The letter urged Asean member countries to redouble their preparedness efforts and actions to prevent fires that could cause transboundary haze pollution.

"The Asean Secretariat acknowledged the letter and has circulated it to Asean member countries," he said.