23/07/2025

WEDNESDAY | JULY 23, 2025

4

Serious health threat warning as haze returns

‘Additional allocation needed for road upkeep’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry requires additional allocation for road maintenance, as it is becoming increasingly urgent to ensure that infrastructure remains in optimum condition. Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the main causes of road damage in Malaysia include weather factors such as heavy rain and heat, overloaded vehicles and the natural lifespan of roads. “Typically, after 10 to 20 years, they need to be maintained to ensure they remain safe for use. However, the ministry is facing a shortage of funds. “To properly maintain roads this year, we need RM4 billion. However, we only received RM2.2 billion – a shortfall of RM1.8 billion or 45%. We will continue with efforts to secure a bigger budget for next year,” he said after appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s “Ruang Bicara” programme on Monday. Based on data from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Ahmad said 13% of crashes are due to road conditions such as the absence of markings, potholes and inadequate lighting. “Human error remains the main contributor to road accidents at 80%, while 7% are caused by vehicle-related factors. “The annual death toll from crashes remains high at about 6,000, underscoring the need to address recurring causes, including factors related to road conditions,“ he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad said the MyJalan mobile application, launched in August 2023, has made it easier for the public to lodge complaints about damaged roads, with all reports accepted under the “no wrong door” policy. This includes complaints beyond the ministry’s jurisdiction, which are then channelled to the relevant agencies, such as the Rural and Regional Development Ministry for rural roads, the Housing and Local Government Ministry for municipal roads, and state Public Works Departments. – Bernama MALACCA: The state Health Department is monitoring cases of asthma, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infections following unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings recorded in several areas of the state since Sunday. State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said as of epidemiological week 29 (ending July 19), there has been no significant rise in cases compared to previous weeks. “Surveillance data from week 23 (June) to week 29 show stable trends, but monitoring will continue as a precaution,” he said outside the Malacca State Legislative Assembly sitting at Seri Negeri yesterday. Ngwe said the state is managing haze-related health risks in accordance with the Health Ministry’s Guidelines for Haze-Related Health Management, issued in 2020, and is prepared to act in line with the National Haze Action Plan if conditions worsen. Visit www.infosihat.gov.my and www.moh.gov.my for more information on haze-related health precautions. – Bernama Malacca keeps watch following poor air quality

KUCHING: Sarawak is officially on haze alert following increasingly large forest fires and hotspots occurring within the state and in neighbouring Kalimantan on Borneo Island, as well as in numerous Indonesian islands further south. The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has activated its haze operation centres across the vast state. “The NREB has issued a ban on open burning, stopped issuances of permits to burn, issued warnings to big plantations and land developers and increased ground patrols to prevent local fires and local sources of haze. “We have detected 114 hotspots in Kalimantan and other parts of Indonesia, with PETALING JAYA: As haze once again descends on parts of Malaysia, experts are sounding the alarm over its serious and far-reaching health consequences – from exacerbated respiratory conditions and increased hospitalisations to possible links with lung cancer. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Ng Boon Hau said haze is strongly associated with the worsening of respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “The fine particles and toxic gases present in the haze can make breathing increasingly difficult, triggering symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. “Patients with asthma or COPD may experience more frequent and severe flare-ups during haze periods, sometimes requiring changes in medication or even hospitalisation,” he said. Ng also highlighted rising concerns over a potential uptick in lung cancer cases linked to haze exposure. “While more research is needed to establish a direct link, prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants – particularly fine particulate matter like PM2.5 – has been associated with higher risks of developing long-term respiratory diseases and certain cancers,” he said. UKM respiratory unit head and consultant respiratory physician Assoc Prof Dr Andrea Ban Yu-Lin warned that chronic exposure to haze can lead to reduced lung function and ongoing airway inflammation. “Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable during haze season. “Children’s lungs are still developing and are more sensitive to air pollutants, while older individuals often have weaker respiratory systems and declining physiological function.” She added that individuals with chronic o Exposure to fine particles, toxic gases could lead to long-term respiratory diseases such as asthma, develop certain cancers, says academic Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com Ű BY JOSEPH PETER newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Nik Nuratiqah advised the public to wear proper protective mask, limit outdoor activities and to stay hydrated to soothe the respiratory tract. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

peak hours. “It worsening

health conditions including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, heart problems or obesity, face an even greater risk. Haze exposure can worsen these illnesses, sometimes resulting in severe symptoms that require emergency treatment or hospital admission. Backing this concern, she cited a local study conducted from January 2014 to December 2015. “The study recorded a significant increase in respiratory-related hospital admissions during Southeast Asia’s haze period. “Over the 16 weeks of haze, hospitalisations nearly doubled, with more patients requiring intensive care. “The haze not only led to more asthma and COPD admissions but also worsened chronic heart and lung conditions, especially in

Areas recording unhealthy API readings *As of 5PM - July 22 current haze alert: unhealthy & moderate (API 100 - 200 : UNHEALTHY )

also

traps

heat,

already high temperatures and leading to heat-related illnesses,” she said. In agriculture, prolonged haze can reduce crop yields and may contribute to food insecurity, she added. On the health front, haze exposure can trigger a wide range of symptoms, including eye and skin irritation, throat dryness and general respiratory discomfort. She said fine airborne particles can settle on the skin, causing itchiness or dermatitis, while inhalation of pollutants can lead to coughing, breathlessness or chest tightness, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions. UKM lecturer and consultant respiratory physician Dr Nik Nuratiqah

Nilai, NEGERI SEMBILAN

117

(API 51 - 100 : MODERATE ) *As of 5PM - July 22

Banting, SELANGOR

95 89 87 86 85 82 82 79 76 74

Putrajaya, W.P PUTRAJAYA

Klang, SELANGOR

Port Dickson, NEGERI SEMBILAN

Mukah, SARAWAK

Batu Muda, W.P KUALA LUMPUR

Petaling Jaya, SELANGOR Seri Manjung, PERAK Sungai Petani, KEDAH Alor Gajah, MALACCA

Source: DOE Malaysia / APIMS

Nik Abeed advised the public to wear proper protective masks, such as N95 respirators and to limit outdoor activities. “Stay hydrated to soothe the respiratory tract. Those with asthma or COPD must strictly follow their treatment plans to avoid complications,” she said.

medically vulnerable individuals,” she said. Beyond respiratory health, UKM public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh pointed out that the impact of haze stretches well beyond the lungs. “Haze can reduce visibility and increase the risk of road crashes, especially during

Sarawak bans open burning in wake of Borneo forest fires

issued warnings not to use fire to dispose of their wastes. “Public telephone hotlines have been set up to allow the public to report open burning cases to NREB,” it added. The hotline numbers are 082-447 488 and 082-319 500. The NREB assured the public that identities of complainants will be kept confidential as they are protected by the Whistleblowers Act. Big oil palm plantations and logging operators in Sarawak often uses fire to burn off huge amounts of logging and plantation wastes. These fires can be seen as red hotspots from satellites. One hotspot is the size of at least one hectare, or roughly the size of two football fields combined.

93 new hotspots over the past two days alone,” the NREB said in a statement yesterday. Several hotspots have also been detected in Sarawak as strong winds due to the southwest monsoon keep blowing in. The agency cautioned that there is possibility of more haze and deterioration of air quality in the coming days and weeks This wind pattern is forecast to last until the end of September. “This wind pattern is expected to bring transboundary haze into Sarawak from across the borders,“ it said. As far as enforcement inside Sarawak is concerned, the NREB said it is taking strict measures. “The NREB ground patrols have been stepped up. “Plantations and land developers have been