SEREMBAN: The public has been urged to immediately report any open burning activity to authorities to ensure prompt enforcement action, says state executive councillor Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa.
The Negri Sembilan entrepreneurship, human capital, climate change, cooperatives and consumerism committee chairman said it was important to report such instances immediately to reduce localised pollution sources and that legal action would be taken against anyone caught conducting open burning.
"Do not engage in open burning of any scale, including the disposal of household waste, dry leaves, agricultural waste or trash.
"Although the latest air pollutant index readings in Nilai, Seremban and Port Dickson are in the moderate range, proactive control measures must be implemented now to prevent the situation from worsening," he said in a statement on Monday (Aug 24).
"A single act of open burning may seem small but during hot and dry weather conditions, it can spread into a larger blaze and affect air quality, public health and livelihoods," he said.
Authorities, he added, would increase patrols and monitoring in areas identified as high-risk, particularly agricultural areas, open lands, bushlands and locations with a history of open burning incidents.
He also urged industries to ensure their air pollution control systems are in good working condition and operating efficiently.
Mohd Fairuz said the public could call the state Environment Department at 1-800 882 727 to file a complaint.
