Open burning of garden waste
Published on: Thursday, May 23, 2019
A president in Kampung Kembirian in Manggatal says there are still a handful of people in that area resorting to burning their garden waste during this dry spell.
They piled up the cut tree branches, dried grasses and leaves at the roadside before burning them without any consideration to the nearby residents who are being affected by the smog, according to the Department of Environment (DoE).
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Anyone who engage in open burning or any activities that can affect the air quality risk being compounded up to RM2,000 under Section 29A of the Environment Quality Act 1974.
“I had to cover my nose when I walk past these areas because of the thick smoke billowing to all places,” he lamented.
In view of the intensity of the fumes from the fire, he said that he had no choice but to go elsewhere because his eyes started to get watery.
“I could still smell the smoke even when all the windows and doors have been properly shut,” he said.
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He said the situation gets from bad to worse during a long hot day where many residents took the opportunity to clear the shrubs in their respective compound by burning them.
A Department of Environment (DOE) spokesman said its personnel would be asked to verify the complaint soon as possible.
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“We should maintain the quality of our air so that we can minimise harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide or sulphur dioxide,” he said.
He said that culprits who fail to pay the compound within the stipulated time could face a maximum fine of RM500,000. (OV)