By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 8: Five stations in Sarawak have recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 11am today.
According to the API Management System (APIMS), Serian recorded the highest reading at 172, followed by Kuching (156), Samarahan (155), Bintulu (152), and Sri Aman (139).
Meanwhile, the remaining stations in the State recorded moderate readings with Mukah at 98, followed by Sarikei (97), Samalaju (96), Sibu (93), Miri (86), ILP Miri (84), Limbang (75), and Kapit (63).
In a statement issued today, the Department of Environment (DOE) cited a report from the Singapore-based Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) that said that 25 hotspots were identified in Malaysia, with 22 in Sarawak, two in Selangor, and one in Terengganu, while 643 hotspots were detected in Kalimantan and 17 in Sumatra.
“The Regional Haze Map issued by ASMC on Aug 7 showed continued dry weather across most of the southern ASEAN region today, except for isolated rain in northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia,” it said.
Hotspots were detected extensively in West Kalimantan, while isolated to scattered hotspots were detected in other parts of Kalimantan. Several hotspots were also detected, particularly in parts of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, southern and central Sumatra, and eastern Java.
Moderate-to-thick smoke plumes were observed in West Kalimantan, moving northward into western Sarawak, as well as in other parts of Kalimantan and central Sarawak. Light-to-moderate smoke plumes were observed in southern and central Sumatra and in eastern Java.
The DOE has stepped up enforcement activities and daily patrols in areas at risk of open burning, while continuously monitoring API readings. The National Open Burning Action Plan and the National Haze Action Plan have been activated to coordinate government agencies’ measures to address open burning and the national haze situation.
“All landowners are advised to closely monitor areas that are prone to frequent fires, such as waste disposal sites, forests, peatlands, plantations, agricultural areas and industrial areas, and to take measures to prevent trespassing by irresponsible parties that could result in open burning, whether intentionally or unintentionally,” it said.
Members of the public are reminded not to carry out open burning or allow their land or premises to be accessed or trespassed upon by irresponsible parties, resulting in open burning either intentionally or unintentionally.
Under the Environmental Quality Act (Amendment) 2024, the fine has been increased to a minimum of RM25,000 and a maximum of RM1 million, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. In addition, a compound of up to 50 per cent of the maximum fine may be imposed for each offence.
Members of the public are urged to cooperate in putting out small fires and to report cases of open burning or fires to the Fire and Rescue Department at 999 or the Department of Environment at its toll-free line, 1-800-88-2727. — DayakDaily
