Penang on high alert for open burning activities

GEORGE TOWN: Both local councils in Penang – the Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council – have been ordered to be on high alert for any open burning activities in view of the haze.

The focus was on areas where there were factories, construction sites and illegal dumpsites, said state environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh.

“We will not compromise on open burning activities, but thankfully no cases have been reported so far in Penang, ” he said yesterday.

He explained that religious practices where joss papers are burnt or conventional habits where villagers light up dried leaves to chase away mosquitoes were not considered open burning.

“Those caught carrying out open burning can be fined up to RM500,000 under the Environmental Quality Act.”

The situation in Penang was still under control as it recorded an Air Pollutant Index reading of between 65 and 75, he said.

“We will declare it as dangerous when the reading exceeds 100, ” he said.

“So far, we are coping with the situation and expect rain to start pouring by mid-September to clear the air.”

In Cecil Street market, luo han guo drink seller Khaw Eng Hong, 53, had been getting good business due to the hot weather.

“On ordinary days, I make a profit of about RM700 selling the RM1.50 drink. This amount will double on weekends, ” said Khaw, who has been running the stall for 37 years.

“Luo han guo (monk fruit juice) drinks are known to be a natural remedy to cool down the body.”

“My recipe involves brewing the drink for two hours and adding sugar melon and jelly bits into it, ” he said.