Noting predictions of dry weather conditions, Nik Nazmi said his ministry has implemented the Sustainable Management of Peatland Ecosystems in Malaysia project, which aims to manage peatlands, avoid their degradation, and prevent fires, among others.

He said the project has already seen results, having reduced peat swamp forest fires in peninsular Malaysia from 385.2ha in 2020 to 25.2ha last year.

“In Selangor and Pahang, peat swamp forest fires in 2020 involved areas of 160ha and 171.7ha, respectively, and decreased to only 6.9ha and 2.1ha in 2023,” he said in a statement today.

Nik Nazmi said the project, which started in December 2020, involves five peatland landscapes in Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Pahang.

The project also covers peatland fire prevention activities, including training state forestry department staff and local communities, purchasing forest fire control equipment, running peatland forest restoration programmes, and monitoring peatland water levels.

Meanwhile, agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said  local crops and food supplies are under control and unaffected by the hot weather conditions.

Bernama reported him as saying his ministry will continue to monitor the situation as the phenomenon is expected to become more critical next year.

Mohamad advised farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders to take care of their health and take precautions while out in the field.

“This dry weather will go on for a long period, and the group (farmers, fishermen, breeders) must comply with the instructions from the authorities, including the health ministry,” he said.