KUCHING, Apr 17: Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (Meesty) Dr Hazland Abang Hipni advises against engaging in open burning during the current hot and dry weather, as it can contribute to haze formation.
According to a question-and-answer statement issued by Meesty today regarding issues arising from the current hot weather conditions in Malaysia and its environs, Dr Hazland stated that the Sarawak government will not hesitate to prosecute those who commit the offence of open burning.
He also urged the public to work together to extinguish small fires and to report cases of open burning to Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and Natural Resources And Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak.
“The Sarawak government is always prepared to face the hot weather outside by stepping up efforts at the Sarawak level to prevent open burning and haze, both of which can affect air quality and public health,” he said.
Dr Hazland went on to say that the hot and dry weather could be related to climate change, and that Sarawak took a strategic step to control climate change in addition to being able to generate resources and new income for Sarawak.
“For example, green energy, such as hydroelectricity, solar, hydrogen, biofuel, and wind energy, can be obtained through the ‘Circular Economy’ or ‘Cycle Economy’.
“Aside from that, efforts for forest conservation that store carbon absorbed from the atmosphere can generate carbon credits, as can carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), which is the capture of carbon released by industries and storage at the ocean’s bottom,” he said.
Dr Hazland also said that MetMalaysia reported that between February 21 and February 27, the daily maximum temperature recorded at meteorological stations in Sarawak and Sabah ranged from 24.7 to 34.0 degrees Celsius
“Malaysia typically experiences a dry season or is less susceptible to rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon (MBD), which occurs between May and September.
“During this time, the wind typically blows consistently from the west, accompanied by drier atmospheric conditions and low air humidity. This will reduce the formation of rain clouds during the monsoon season.
“If there is an El Nino, the situation will be worse than usual. MetMalaysia is currently monitoring the expected dry weather this year and will notify the public if any new developments occur,” he explained.
Dr Hazland, who is also Demak Laut assemblyman, revealed that the highest daily maximum temperature recorded was 35.6 degrees Celsius in Ipoh, Perak on February 24, 2023, whereas the highest temperature ever recorded in Malaysia was 40.1 degrees Celsius in Chuping, Perlis on April 9, 1998, when El Nino occurred.
“A constant rise in temperature can lead to overheating, which can pose a number of risks not only to one’s health but also to the environment as a whole,” he noted.
He also said that Malaysia has been experiencing hot weather in recent days, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius in some states.
“If the weather is too hot, drink more water and limit your outdoor activities. If you experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, take steps to prevent it from progressing to heat stroke.
“If you are dizzy, sweating excessively, skin cold, pale, vomiting, nausea, fast and weak pulse, and muscle spasms, go to a cool place like an air conditioner, drink plenty of water, take a cold shower, and wipe the body with a cold towel.
“Also, you should dial 911 and try to cool down until help arrives if you experience a throbbing headache, no sweating, a rise in body temperature, skin that is hot, dry, and red, vomiting, nausea, a fast and strong pulse, and sudden fainting,” he advised.
“Warmer weather conditions may cause mosquito vectors to survive and mature more quickly, thereby shortening the incubation period of the virus. In addition to dengue, diseases such as cholera, dengue, and malaria can spread as a result of a rise in temperature.
“Haze, which is caused by air pollution, can invite respiratory diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, sore throat, eye pain, cough, and the common cold. When a severe haze hit the region in 1997-1998, nearly 20 million people were reported to have severe breathing problems,” he added. — DayakDaily
