By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, May 11: Despite numerous warnings and advice, pineapple planters near Vista Perdana in Permyjaya seem to have a couldn’t care less attitude.
“We are facing a dry season until September. Please stop open burning activities immediately,” pleads Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin today after chairing a meeting with the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and Department of Environment, here.
Also present were Miri Bomba chief Supt Law Poh Kiong and Miri DOE chief Julaiha Jumal.
The meeting was held at Lopeng fire station following an increasing number of complaints about haze caused by blatant open burning activities from pineapple cultivation.
Lee cautioned that the state government might take deterrent measures against errant pineapple planters, including revoking their farming subsidy.
“We will not compromise on this matter,” he stressed.
Lee added that he would discuss this issue with Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
In the meantime, he called on the Land and Survey Department and the Agriculture Department to provide data of planters farming near Vista Perdana. — DayakDaily
