Stop open burning to prevent haze from getting worse, Sarawakians urged

SIBU: The people here have been strongly advised to stop open burning to prevent the hazy situation in the state from getting worse.

"I understand that the NREB (Natural Resource and Environmental Board) has stopped issuing permits for open burning.

"I urge for advocacy on this from the public," Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Datuk Khirudin Drahman said on Monday (Sept 4).

Speaking to reporters after officiating the close of auxiliary firefighters' certification course, he said he had instructed fire chiefs from the different zones in the state to "turun padang" and monitor the situation.

"Yesterday, we received eight calls (on open burning) in Simunjan and I want fire chiefs from the various zones to monitor the situation," he added.

Khirudin also hoped that the neighbouring country (Indonesia) would cooperate in stopping open burning for plantation.

"By freezing the issuance of open burning permits, we can discuss with our neighbouring country (to follow suit).

"However, we can't deny that Sarawak also has hotspots as there were reported incidents of hotspots in the state this morning," he said.

It was earlier reported that hazy conditions have hit parts of Sarawak with Sri Aman, Kuching and Serian recording unhealthy air quality on Monday (Sept 4).

At 9am, Sri Aman recorded an air pollutant index (API) reading of 154, the highest in the country, and this was followed by Kuching at 133 and Serian at 128.

Other parts of Sarawak recorded moderate API readings.

An API reading of 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is moderate and 101-200 is unhealthy.

According to the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), satellite imagery showed moderate to dense smoke haze over southern and south-eastern Kalimantan, drifting towards the northwest.