MALAYSIA is at risk of experiencing record-breaking temperatures in 2027 as the El Niño weather phenomenon strengthens, with the national meteorological agency warning of prolonged heat and reduced rainfall across the country.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said El Niño is expected to peak between March and May 2027, when maximum temperatures could exceed the country’s current record of 40.1°C recorded in Chuping, Perlis, in 1998.
El Niño is a natural climate cycle marked by weakened trade winds and warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific, often linked to extreme weather conditions including droughts, floods and heatwaves.
Climate experts have warned that the current El Niño cycle could develop into a strong or super-strong event, increasing the risk of severe weather disruptions.
"Based on this data, we can expect it's going to be another big spike," Mohd Hisham told Reuters, adding that global warming was also contributing to rising temperatures.
He said Malaysia’s average temperatures have continued to increase since the 1980s, with the highest temperature peaks often occurring during major El Niño events.
The Meteorological Department expects rainfall to decline significantly while temperatures rise nationwide, with northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak likely to experience some of the most severe effects.
Sabah and Sarawak, which are among Malaysia’s largest palm oil-producing regions, could face additional challenges from hotter and drier conditions that may affect agricultural activities and water availability.
Mohd Hisham said Sabah has historically experienced some of the strongest impacts from El Niño due to its geographical proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
The warning comes as countries across the region continue to face growing climate risks, with rising global temperatures amplifying the effects of natural weather cycles. - July 20, 2026
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