Situation Report – Malaysia

BY MOHD ZAHIRASRI MOHD TOHIR AND DAYANG NUR SAKINAH MUSA

Peat fires in Malaysia have been an issue for several years, causing widespread destruction and threatening the environment and public health. The situation remains a major concern for policymakers, experts, and the general public.

In recent years, policymakers have implemented several measures to address the peat soil fire issue in Malaysia including the establishment of task forces, the development of early warning systems, and the deployment of firefighting resources. Additionally, efforts have been made to promote sustainable land use practices and reduce the risk of fires. However, challenges still need to be overcome to effectively implement these policies and address the root causes of the problem.

The Malaysian government introduced a national campaign in 2009 called the Peatland Fire Prevention Programme to promote sustainable land use practices and reduce the risk of peat fires. The program focuses on preventing fires by addressing the root causes of the problem, such as unsustainable land use practices, deforestation, and agricultural expansion. The program also aims to strengthen co-ordination and collaboration among various agencies and stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, and local communities, to prevent and respond to wildfires. Raja Musa Forest Reserve is an example of a recovering degraded area due to fire, and it has been reported that the peat condition has improved over the years through a rehabilitation effort.

Weather events such as droughts and heatwaves can significantly impact the risk of peat soil fires in Malaysia. While it is difficult to predict exact weather patterns for 2023, experts suggest that climate change will continue to impact weather events, potentially leading to more severe droughts and heatwaves and, thus, a higher risk of peat fires. The government has implemented various strategies and measures to mitigate these risks and promote the wellbeing of the people. As of now, the government has been assisted local communities with monitoring and suppression. As an example, an initiative and innovation challenge to suppress peat fire, the X-Fire Challenge Finals competition, was held in 2022 and an invention by The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia won the competition (see photo page 29). The invented tool is able to spray water on the surface fire and flood the underground fire simultaneously which it is crucial to suppress underground burning during peat fires. The government has also invested in the health sector, focusing on adapting to climate change. While the drought outlook for Malaysia in 2023 needs to be clarified, the country is taking steps to cope with the potential impacts of climate change on its economy, environment, and society.

Malaysia’s peat soil fire issue is complex and multifaceted, with several challenges that must be addressed simultaneously. One of the biggest challenges is the need to address the root causes of the problem, including unsustainable land use practices, deforestation, and agricultural expansion. Additionally, there is a need to develop effective early warning systems, co-ordinate firefighting efforts, and invest in resources and personnel. This has prompted several researchers from Malaysia’s Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), to venture into the research topic of peat fires. One of the current projects at UPM is the APT (Asia Pacific Telecommunity) NET-PEAT which is funded by the government of Japan. The project focuses on deploying Internet-of-things-based solutions at vulnerable peat swamp forests for fire monitoring (see photo 3). Another project is the fundamental study of peat fire suppression; this is an important topic to be studied because peat fires are difficult to extinguish.

The peat soil fire issue in Malaysia remains a significant concern for policymakers, experts, and the public. While there have been positive developments, more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem and invest in effective measures to prevent and respond to wildfires. A collaboration between the government and researchers to achieve sustainable peatland resources and reduce peat fires should be enhanced. It is essential to prioritise this issue and work toward sustainable solutions that can protect the environment, public health, and livelihoods.

Mohd Zahirasri Mohd Tohir is a senior lecturer at the department of chemical and environmental engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and the head of the Safety Engineering Interest Group (SEIG) fire safety division. He is a fire scientist who focuses on the research of fire safety engineering and peat fires. Contact Zahir at [email protected].

Dayang Nur Sakinah Musa is a PhD student at the department of chemical and environmental engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia; she studies smouldering peat fire and suppression strategies in peat swamp forests. Contact Dayang at [email protected]