Malaysia faces a complex set of air pollution challenges due to a mix of urbanization, industrialization, transportation emissions, open burning, and transboundary haze, particularly during dry seasons. Major cities and industrial hubs contribute significantly to deteriorating air quality, compounded by meteorological factors and peatland fires. A significant public health burden emerges from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), with the average annual exposure reaching 16.2 µg/m³—3.2 times higher than the WHO guideline. In 2019, 61 deaths per 100,000 people were attributed to PM2.5 pollution, totalling around 15,000 premature deaths nationwide . Outdoor air pollution is a contributing factor in a wide range of health conditions, including type 2 diabetes (15%), stroke (13%), ischemic heart disease (13%), lung cancer (12%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (11%), lower respiratory infections (8%), and neonatal disorders (7%). These figures reflect the serious toll of air pollution on public health . Malaysia has met 4 out of 9 global air quality targets: clean production incentives, air quality management strategies, air quality monitoring, and the establishment of air quality standards.
Malaysia operates a relatively advanced air quality monitoring system, comprising 68 automatic stations, 14 manual stations, and 3 mobile units distributed across the country. These stations measure key pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃, as well as ozone precursors and meteorological variables. Data from this network feeds into the Air Pollutant Index (API), a central tool in Malaysia’s air quality management, which categorizes air quality on a scale from “Good” to “Hazardous” and communicates pollution levels to the public in real time. In support of these efforts, the Comprehensive Plan of Action (POA) includes the Pollution Monitoring Team (3P) and Standard Operating Procedures for peatland fire prevention, addressing a recurring source of transboundary haze.
Malaysia has established national air quality standards aligned with both the Air Pollutant Index (API) thresholds and international guidelines, providing a strong technical foundation for air quality management. However, the effectiveness of these standards depends heavily on enforcement and cross-sector implementation. Gaps remain in several key areas: vehicle emission standards currently fall below Euro 4 levels, diesel fuel contains sulphur concentrations ranging from 51 to 500 ppm, and controls on open burning of solid waste are only partially enforced. Additionally, there are no incentives in place for clean residential cooking or heating, and agricultural emissions are not yet addressed through targeted policy measures.
Yearly PM2.5 levels in major cities of Malaysia indicate persistent moderate air pollution, with all cities exceeding the WHO’s 2021 standard of 5 µg/m³. George Town consistently records the highest concentrations, rising steadily from around 21 µg/m³ in 2000 to nearly 28 µg/m³ in recent years. Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam follow similar trajectories, fluctuating between 20–26 µg/m³, while Johor Bahru generally reports the lowest levels, though still above 17 µg/m³. Despite slight variations over time, no city shows a sustained downward trend, underscoring continued challenges related to urban growth, traffic emissions, and transboundary haze.
Malaysia’s air pollution control framework is primarily established through the Environmental Quality Act of 1974, which grants authorities the power to enforce regulations using fines, prohibition orders, and legal action, particularly targeting open burning—a key contributor to seasonal haze. To address air quality deterioration during haze episodes, the country has implemented the National Haze Action Plan, a policy framework that sets out procedures based on air quality alert levels and enables coordinated enforcement by environmental and local authorities. Complementing this, the Comprehensive Plan of Action (POA), led by the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, provides an integrated policy approach for monitoring, enforcement, and stakeholder engagement.