From Jayaprakash Murulitharan

Malaysia already has the tools to monitor the haze. The next step is turning environmental data into foresight and resilience.

Every Malaysian knows the haze. We’ve lived through school closures, canceled outdoor events, and the lingering smell of smoke.

Beyond daily disruptions, the haze crisis incurs huge costs. The 2015 episode alone inflicted an estimated RM1.5 billion in losses, on top of the health impact affecting millions.

As Malaysia pursues its ambition to build smart cities, we must ask: how “smart” can our cities be if they remain vulnerable to recurring environmental threats?

Environmental proofing

When people talk about smart cities, the conversation often centres on digital infrastructure, such as smart grids, integrated transport, digital health platforms, water and waste systems, high-speed internet, and cashless payments.

These are essential, but true smart cities must go further, embedding resilience against environmental shocks.

Environmental proofing builds on “climate-proofing” but takes a sharper edge by treating environmental intelligence as critical infrastructure.

Air quality data must sit alongside broadband and transport systems in planning and policymaking. That means cities prepare before air quality deteriorates, rather than scrambling once the damage is under way.

The Greater Klang Valley challenge

Take the Greater Klang Valley (GKL), Malaysia’s most urbanised region. With over 90% urbanisation, GKL faces construction dust, industrial emissions, heavy traffic and transboundary haze from regional burning. The result is hazardous spikes in PM2.5, tiny particles that lodge deep in our lungs.

These invisible threats cost more than health. They weaken productivity, disrupt business, and strain healthcare. If we are serious about world-class smart cities, protecting residents from such risks is non-negotiable.

The groundwork already exists. Under the Smart City Indicators framework, real-time air quality stations are part of Level 2 development.

This shows monitoring is embedded in Malaysia’s smart city journey. But monitoring alone is not enough. The real challenge is, how do we turn data into resilience?

Forecasting with AI

This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes transformative. By combining existing sources, such as data from the environment department air quality stations, MetMalaysia weather models, and NASA fire imagery, existing machine learning (ML) methods can forecast pollution trends up to 72 hours ahead.

A Malaysian researcher at Cambridge University has demonstrated this potential, and Malaysian agencies have shown interest in adapting such AI-driven systems.

Locally developed models could give GKL the ability to anticipate crises before they spiral into emergencies. To move in this direction, Malaysia should collaborate with global AI and smart city research groups to accelerate the translation of research into practical urban tools.

Air quality data as an economic asset

Malaysia’s investments in monitoring need not stop at enforcement. Treated as strategic environmental intelligence, air quality data can fuel the data economy.

Healthcare providers can anticipate haze-related admissions. Startups can build climate-tech apps, from personalised alerts to green commuting tools.

Responsibly opening such data would encourage civic innovation, strengthen ESG practices, and position Malaysia as a data-driven environmental leader in Asean.

Each reading from an air quality station is not just a number, it’s an opportunity for resilience and innovation.

Malaysia’s leadership role in Asean

This approach also gives Malaysia a chance to lead beyond its borders. Under the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, member states are committed to collective solutions.

By developing AI-driven forecasting systems and open data platforms, Malaysia can set the stage for regional climate resilience.

Such leadership would not only enhance Malaysia’s standing but also provide a model for neighbours facing similar challenges.

From Jakarta to Bangkok, many Southeast Asian cities face haze, floods, and climate risks. If Malaysia proves that environmental proofing can be integrated into smart city planning, it can export both knowledge and technology, thus strengthening its role as a regional hub for climate innovation.

This leadership is already visible. The Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur recently gathered government, industry, and academia to showcase sustainable urban solutions.

Malaysia also plays an active role in the Asean Smart Cities Network, where members reaffirm their commitment to smarter, more sustainable cities.

Together, these platforms highlight Malaysia’s role as both adopter and champion of smart city innovation.

Proofing our smart cities

The haze reminds us that a city isn’t truly smart unless it can withstand environmental challenges. Technology alone isn’t enough; we must treat environmental intelligence as a foundation, not an afterthought.

Embedding environmental proofing into the smart city agenda allows Malaysia to turn data into resilience, giving citizens the timely information they need to act during haze events, whether that means staying indoors, rescheduling outdoor activities, or guiding schools on whether to operate.

Equally important, advancing AI in environmental management will create jobs in Malaysia’s growing AI sector, support local environmental services, and build on the work of national research institutions.

This ensures Malaysia not only adopts global best practices but also contributes new knowledge to the world.

Malaysia has proven its capability in developing a local AI tool for air quality forecasting, so, now is the time to put it to work.

Our cities will not only be more connected and efficient, but also healthier, safer, and more sustainable for future generations.

If Malaysia can show Asean the way, we will prove that smart city planning is not just about connectivity, it is about survival, in line with the unity government’s emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and shared prosperity.

After all, what’s the use of a “smart city” if it cannot see through the haze?

Jayaprakash Murulitharan holds a PhD in Chemistry (Atmospheric Science), from Cambridge University.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.