PETALING JAYA: Peat fires have resulted in unhealthy air quality in Rompin, Pahang, says the Environment Department.
Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said as at 11am on Tuesday (April 30), Rompin recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 166 due to peat fires at the Pahang Coconut Valley plantation near Kampung Kerpal, Muadzam Shah.
After the API reading hit 151-200 in over 24 hours in Rompin, the department issued an early warning note to the National Disaster Control Centre to prepare for disaster operations at state and district levels, as well as to activate the disaster management committee.
He said action will be taken as per the National Haze Action Plan.
"Agencies and the plantation owners have been coordinating to put out and manage the fires," Wan Abdul Latiff said.
A total of 27 areas nationwide reported good air quality while 39 reported average air quality.
"The Environment Department has stepped up enforcement and surveillance from land and air with the help of drones, while also monitoring API readings from time to time," he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 30).
The Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre map showed that the southern part of the region experienced rain on April 30.
"Hotspots were detected in Peninsular Malaysia but no smoke was detected through satellite images. The wind blowing from the south of Asean is moving slowly and changing direction.
"Plantation owners should closely monitor areas that are prone to fires such as landfills, forests, peatland, plantations, agriculture areas and industries and ensure that steps are taken to prevent encroachment by irresponsible parties that could lead to intentional or unintentional open burning," Wan Abdul Latiff said.
Offences for open burning under Section 29A (3) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, carries a fine of not more than RM 500,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both.
A maximum compound of RM2,000 can also be imposed for each offence.
