Air Pollution In Malaysia: Understanding The Root Causes

Malaysia has experienced severe air pollution problems compared to many other Southeast Asian nations, with the State of Global Air 2020 report stating that PM2.5-related fatalities in the country increased by almost 30% in the previous decade. The main causes of air pollution in Malaysia are land transportation, industrial emissions, and open burning sources, with land transportation being the most significant contributor. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have also contributed to the deterioration of air quality in the country. Additionally, biomass burning, forest fires, and agricultural slash-and-burn techniques in Malaysia and neighbouring countries, such as Indonesia, have led to seasonal transboundary haze incidents that often cause spikes in air pollution.

Forest fires in Indonesia

In 2023, Malaysia experienced poor air quality due to smoke from forest fires in Indonesia, specifically in the Indonesian territories of Sumatra and Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). The national environmental department of Malaysia recorded unhealthy air quality in several regions, including Kuala Lumpur. This situation mirrored a similar incident in 2019, when fires in Sumatra and Borneo also spread to Malaysia, resulting in a diplomatic spat between the two countries.

The fires in Indonesia are often caused by blazes lit to clear land for agricultural purposes, such as oil palm and pulpwood plantations. This practice, known as slash-and-burn, has been identified as one of the main causes of pollution in Malaysia, along with the country's own land transportation emissions and industrial emissions.

The impact of these forest fires extends beyond international borders, affecting the health and well-being of those in the path of the smoke. In 2015, a severe burning season across Sumatra and Kalimantan resulted in respiratory illnesses for approximately 140,000 people in Southeast Asia. The smoke from these fires can cause eyes to redden and throats to become raspy, posing a significant threat to public health.

To address the problem of transboundary haze, Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to employ cloud seeding to induce rain over the forest fires in 2005. Additionally, Malaysia has implemented strategies to reduce airborne contaminants, including enforcing strict emission standards, promoting renewable energy sources, and investing in public transportation to reduce vehicle emissions.

Industrial emissions

Malaysia's air quality has been impacted by industrial emissions, with the country's rapid economic growth and industrialization contributing to increased pollution levels. The pursuit of industrial country status and the associated expansion of industrial activities have led to a deterioration of the urban environment, particularly in the Klang Valley, Malaysia's main economic region.

The manufacturing and energy generation sectors are significant contributors to industrial emissions in Malaysia. The use of petroleum and coal for power generation has resulted in substantial amounts of toxic pollutants, such as CO, NO2, SO2, and suspended particles (PM10). In 2017, the total pollutants from these sources were significant, with 2,123,281 metric tonnes of CO and 860,390 metric tonnes of NO2 being released into the atmosphere.

To address the issue of industrial emissions, Malaysia needs to implement strict emission standards for businesses, power plants, and other sources. Regular monitoring and compliance checks are essential to ensure that these standards are met. Additionally, promoting the use of clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, can help reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and improve air quality.

Furthermore, the government should provide incentives and subsidies to encourage industries to adopt cleaner production technologies and practices. Investing in research and innovation can also drive the development of new technologies and solutions for sustainable industrial processes, minimizing their environmental impact and reducing air pollution levels.

Land transportation

Malaysia's emerging economy, with its focus on manufacturing, has led to a rise in automobile usage. This trend has been a significant contributor to the country's air pollution levels. The high number of vehicles on the road, coupled with the need to reduce emissions from old vehicles, has become a pressing issue for the nation.

To address this challenge, Malaysia has implemented measures such as setting exhaust emission ceilings for vehicles and improving fuel quality. The authorities have also promoted the use of local public transport and non-motorized transport options. Additionally, workshops and campaigns have been conducted to raise awareness about environmentally sensitive urban transport and the importance of reducing emissions.

The government has also recognized the importance of investing in reliable and efficient public transportation systems to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and subsequently lower emissions from the transportation sector. This strategy aligns with the goal of transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives and encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Furthermore, Malaysia has experienced severe pollution problems due to agricultural slash-and-burn techniques and forest fires, which have been exacerbated by similar activities in neighboring Indonesia. These factors have contributed to the degradation of Malaysia's air quality and posed significant health risks to its population.

Open burning sources

The Department of Environment (DOE) has also identified forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia, as the cause of haze across the border, affecting the increase in Air Pollution Index (API) readings along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and west Sarawak. This is due in part to the topographic conditions of the Klang Valley, which is located near the coastal area facing the Straits of Malacca and is dominated by localized wind circulation from land and sea breezes, which can carry haze and smoke from forest fires in Indonesia.

In addition to forest fires, agricultural slash-and-burn techniques used in Malaysia also contribute to open burning sources of air pollution. This, along with forest fires, releases a variety of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3), as well as suspended particles of less than 10 µm (PM10). These particles can have detrimental effects on human health, increasing the risk of respiratory, heart, and lung diseases.

To reduce open burning sources of air pollution, Malaysia can implement a multifaceted strategy that includes strict emission standards for businesses and other sources of pollution, frequent monitoring and compliance checks, and a shift towards cleaner energy alternatives with government incentives and subsidies for renewable energy sources.

Population growth

Malaysia has experienced more severe pollution problems than many other Southeast Asian nations, and air pollution is a significant environmental and public health issue. The country's rapid population growth has led to increased economic activities in city centres, with urban air pollution deteriorating as a result.

The urban population in Malaysia has been growing faster than the rural population due to the economic opportunities in urban centres, as well as the growth of industrial, commercial, financial, and administration activities. This rapid urbanization has increased the impact of air pollution in certain regions, particularly in the Klang Valley, Malaysia's main economic region. The region has seen rapid industrialization, urbanization, and infrastructure development, which have noticeably contributed to the deterioration of air quality.

In addition to vehicle emissions, population growth has also contributed to increased industrial activities, which are a major source of air pollution in Malaysia. Industrial manufacturing and energy generation release various toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3), as well as suspended particles. These pollutants have detrimental effects on the health of individuals, with air pollution-related cardiovascular and respiratory conditions being a major cause of death in Malaysia.

To address the impact of population growth on air pollution, Malaysia has taken several steps. These include establishing the Malaysian Air Quality Guidelines, the Air Pollution Index, and the Haze Action Plan to improve air quality, as well as implementing frequent monitoring and compliance checks for emission standards. The country has also invested in research and innovation to create new technologies for sustainable development and the reduction of air pollution.

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