IPOH: The Perak Environment Department is increasing efforts to discourage open burning, according to state environment committee chairman Teh Kok Lim.
Teh stated that department personnel will patrol areas at high risk of open burning, and urged landowners to monitor and protect areas vulnerable to fire, such as forests, peat soil, farms, estates, and industrial areas. He stressed the need for preventative measures to hinder unscrupulous individuals from conducting deliberate or accidental open burning.
He added that under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act, individuals found guilty of open burning may face fines of up to RM500,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. A maximum compound of RM2,000 may also be issued for each offense.
Teh instructed all local governments to ensure that waste disposal sites within their jurisdiction do not experience open burning incidents. He also emphasized the importance of controlling earthworks to minimize dust emissions and prevent deterioration of air quality.
He requested the public’s cooperation in extinguishing small fires and reporting open burning cases or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the Environment Department’s toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727.
Teh noted that the Department conducted an assessment of Perak and found no contributing areas to air pollution. Satellite images from the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC) in Singapore showed 121 hotspots in Sumatera, 122 in Kalimantan, and none in Malaysia.
He also disclosed that only Taiping had unhealthy air quality, with an air pollution index (API) reading of 151 at noon. Other areas like Ipoh, Tanjung Malim, and Seri Manjung had moderate levels, with API readings ranging from 84 to 96.
He advised the public to reference the API readings on the website http://apims.doe.gov.my/ or via the MyIPU mobile app. Furthermore, he urged individuals to consult the Health Ministry website for advice on preventing respiratory diseases.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
