Strengthening of Inter-agency Coordination Arrangements Following Past Haze Episodes
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Cai Yinzhou asking how inter-agency haze coordination arrangements have been strengthened following past haze episodes and whether key coordination protocols would be published to support public and employer preparedness. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the National Environment Agency-led Haze Task Force, comprising 28 agencies, reviews plans annually before the June dry season. Improvements include timely communications and workplace measures, such as mask-fit testing and reducing outdoor work, detailed in advisories on the Ministry of Manpower's website. With the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index recently entering the Unhealthy range, the National Environment Agency issues daily advisories and forecasts to guide activity planning. The public and employers can access these latest updates and protocols through government websites, the myENV app, social media, and news platforms.
Transcript
29 Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how inter-agency coordination arrangements have been reviewed and strengthened following past major haze episodes, such as those in 2013 and 2015; and (b) whether the Ministry will publish the key coordination lessons and protocols to support public and employer preparedness.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Government regularly reviews and strengthens its haze preparedness and response measures, drawing on lessons from past haze episodes. The Haze Task Force (HTF), chaired by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and comprising 28 Government agencies, coordinates inter-agency responses during haze episodes. HTF convenes annually, before the start of the dry season in June, to update its plans.
HTF has been improving its preparedness and coordination efforts over the years. The updates include more timely public communications, and measures to protect and prepare employees and vulnerable groups. For example, outdoor workplace measures, such as conducting mask-fit testing for workers and reducing outdoor work where possible during a haze episode, were implemented. This advisory is publicly available on the Ministry of Manpower's website and accessible by employers at any time.
With the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) entering the Unhealthy range last week on 4 September 2026, NEA has started issuing daily haze advisories. The daily haze advisory will include the 24-hour PSI forecast, which can be used by the public to plan their activities and events the next day. Members of the public and employers can refer to the NEA website, haze microsite, myENV app, NEA's social media channels, as well as news platforms for the latest updates, haze advisories and guidance.