MIRI: Land clearing by farmers is a major contributor to the haze menace in this northern city. Haze is a recurring phenomenon which occurs almost annually especially when it comes to the planting season, revealed Fire and Rescue department (Bomba) Miri chief Supt Law Poh Kiong during an interview with Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Miri yesterday.
“In the month of September, we are experiencing a third wave of the haze due largely to open burning by individuals to clear land for cultivation,” said Law. Such activities were contributing to air pollution and reduced visibility, and affecting human health, Law said. “Various agencies including Bomba, police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak (NREB) are conducting regular patrols at the fire-prone areas to discourage open burning,” he said.
According to the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat chief Major Ismail Mahedi, the haze is expected to last longer if fires in Indonesia are not addressed. He said in Sarawak fires were detected in Simunjan, Betong, Tatau and Baram.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment (DOE) said three monitoring stations recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading namely, Sri Aman (136), Samarahan (117) and Kuching (108). An API reading of zero to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 is very unhealthy and 301 and above is hazardous. Other stations recorded moderate readings in Miri (80), SK Baram (60), Sarikei (84), Bintulu (76), Samalaju (75), Sibu (75), Mukah (86), Kapit (64) and Limbang (53) In Miri Division, open burning have been banned.
The State Disaster Management Committee Miri division yesterday issued the warning, banning any form of open burning. “Members of the public have been advised not to do open burning within peat soil areas or 30km from the airport,” said the committee secretariat in a statement released yesterday. Under Section 29(A) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 or Section 29B, those found guilty of open burning can be fined up to RM500,000 or imprisoned up to five years or both, or issued a compound not exceeding RM2,000.
