According to the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, open burning incidents in Selangor have reached a concerning level and should be taken seriously. In the first two months of the year, 283 cases of open burning were reported across the state, involving farms, plantations, forests, bushes, peat land, and landfills.
Of these cases, 26 were related to farms and plantations, 40 to forests, 112 to bushes, 2 to peat land, and 103 to landfills. Nor Hisham expressed apprehension that these numbers may rise due to the current hot and dry weather conditions, surpassing the 220 cases reported during the same period last year.
He noted that the increase in open burning involving farms, plantations, forests, and bushes is partially attributed to the development of new farming areas, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among relevant agencies to prevent cross-border haze incidents.
Nor Hisham highlighted the sensitivity of open burning in Selangor, considering Malaysia’s position in the region’s hot spot statistics, given the significant number of hot spots in the state.
He mentioned that Selangor’s open burning incidents typically concentrate around four hot spots, including Kuala Langat Forest Reserves in the North and South, Kampung Johan Setia, and Raja Muda Musa Forest Reserves.
While 24 open burning cases were reported in these hot spot areas last year, only two cases have been recorded as of February this year, according to Nor Hisham. – Bernama
