THE Natural Resource Environment Board (NREB) has stopped issuing open burning permits since April this year.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said this is an effort to mitigate the haze problem.
He said those convicted of open burning without a valid permit can be prosecuted under Section 30(1)(a) and Section 30(2) of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance 1993.
If convicted, offenders can be fined not more than RM100,000 or imprisoned for five years or both.
“Air quality and haze conditions pose concerns to the public particularly during the transition phase of the Southwest Monsoon which begins in May and expected to continue until September.
“Based on data obtained from the Malaysian Metrological Department, most areas including Sarawak, will experience dry weather with less rain during that period.
“Parts of Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, and Betong are expected to receive average monthly rainfall of between 150 and 200 millimetres while other parts between 180 and 400 millimetres,” he said.
He said this in his ministerial winding-up speech in the State Legislative Assembly today.
Awang Tengah said the NREB and the Department of Environment (DoE) are working closely together to monitor air quality and haze as well as carry out continuous enforcement.
“Based on the Air Pollution Index (API) recorded from January to April this year, the air quality in Sarawak is in the good to moderate category with readings of below 100.
“During the same period, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) based in Singapore reported a total of 25 hot spots in Sarawak,” he added.
