OPEN BURNING COMPLAINTS IN NEGERI SEMBILAN RISE TO 100 IN THREE MONTHS

SEREMBAN, March 30 (Bernama) -- The Negeri Sembilan Department of Environment (DOE) received 100 complaints on open burning in the first three months of this year, up from 81 in the same period last year.

Its director, Abdul Aziz Parmin, described the increase as worrying amid the current hot and dry weather, which raises fire risks.

“Higher temperatures and reduced rainfall have made the environment more prone to fires, even from small sparks or minor burning activities.

“Open burning is strictly prohibited under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Section 29A), and stern action can be taken against offenders,” he told Bernama here today.

He said open burning not only causes serious air pollution but also affects public health, especially among children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

Uncontrolled fires can also lead to localised haze, reducing visibility and air quality, while releasing high carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

“In addition, open burning destroys natural habitats, disrupts ecosystems and threatens biodiversity,” he said.

He urged the public to refrain from open burning and report such activities to the authorities for prompt action.

Earlier, Negeri Sembilan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Nor Arifin Kamari said 205 open burning cases were recorded in the state from March 1 to 25, a 159.5 per cent increase from 79 cases in the same period last year.

-- BERNAMA