Malaysia needs proactive haze forecasting system, researcher warns

Malaysia should establish a proactive early haze warning system rather than relying solely on reactive air quality readings, according to research presented in Kuala Nerus on Monday. The current approach of monitoring the Air Pollution Index after haze events occur leaves the public vulnerable and limits preparation time for health authorities and residents.

The researcher emphasised that predictive forecasting systems could provide advance notice of deteriorating air quality, allowing government agencies to implement preventative measures and issue health advisories before pollution levels peak. Such systems have proven effective in other regional countries facing similar transboundary haze challenges, particularly during dry seasons when air quality typically deteriorates.

Developing a comprehensive early warning framework would require integrating real-time air quality data with meteorological forecasts and cross-border pollution monitoring. This integrated approach would enable authorities to anticipate haze episodes driven by factors including regional land and forest fires, industrial emissions, and seasonal wind patterns.

The call comes as Malaysia continues to experience periodic haze events that affect public health, economic activity, and quality of life across the region. A robust forecasting system could serve as a critical tool for protecting vulnerable populations and enabling more effective regional coordination on air quality management.