At the time of this press release is being written, Singapore Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) has already reached 400 where government claimed that the situation is potentially detrimental to the elderly and sick people. Readings of Air Pollutant Index (API) from Department of Environment Malaysia at 11am showed that reading in Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru have hit 314 and 323 respectively, classified as hazardous level according to the API. Yesterday we saw that the schools in Muar are being closed down as the API breached 300. IT is disturbing that every year we have to endure the haze from our neighbouring country during the hottest time of the year. We from WECAM and FOMCA are urging the government to:

1) Carry out cloud seedling immediately

Under the National Haze Action Plan, one of the actions is for Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) to carry out cloud seeding when the air pollution index exceeds 101 for more than 72 hours. Obviously we have long past the 72 hours threshold with readings more than 101 and it is timely to carry out extensive cloud seedlings as reports have shown that the dry spell will prolong till September, especially in the states where hot spots are detected such as Johor and Sarawak.

2) Ensure the availability of water supply to the consumers.

All water operators, especially SAJ Sdn Bhd must ensure that the water supply is adequate as the current dry and hazy situation will lead to higher water consumption in order to keep ourselves hydrated. Delay maintenance work and ensuring the water supply get to all people is the utmost importance now. All water operators and local council emergency response team must be on standby mode now should any prolonged water disruption occurs during this dry spell.

3) Act now please YB Ministers

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin said the ministry was mulling over cloud seeding if dry weather persisted.Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel also said he would chair an Asean-level meeting on August 20 to discuss ways to tackle the return of the haze to the region and the likelihood of it worsening due to the hot and dry weather. It is time to act now as we do not have the privilege to wait until August. Countries such as Malaysia and Singapore must pressure Indonesia to signed and ratified the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution.

4) Hourly publishing of Air Pollution readings data

The government agencies especially the Department of Environment must publish hourly readings instead of 4 hours. Information must be disseminated to all through mass media so that appropriate actions can make taken. WECAM and FOMCA is always ready to help in disseminating the information.

5) Ban all open burning activities

While it is a commendable action taken by DOE to curb further release of haze to the environment, we at WECAM and FOMCA believe that such ban should be implemented throughout the country instead of 3 states only. Moreover, such ban must be done at all-time instead of during emergency only.

6) Identify the culprits who created haze.

As the Indonesia government claimed that haze is created due to the palm oil companies from Singapore and Malaysia, a mutual cooperation between Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore governments must be done to identify the culprits. Haze has been a looming and trans-boundary problem since decades ago. Stern actions and workable implementation must be done now.

Joint Press Release by Federation of Malaysia Consumer Associations(FOMCA), Water and Energy Consumer Association of Malaysia (WECAM), Forum Air Malaysia, Consumer Research and Resource Centre (CRRC), ERA Consumer Malaysia, Malaysian Association of Standards Users and National Consumer Complaint Centre (NCCC).

For more information, please contact Mr. Foon Weng Lian at 03-78753168 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.