Open burning in Penampang
Published on: Friday, September 20, 2019
A PENAMPANG resident is urging the relevant authorities to come down hard on those who persist in burning garden waste in that district despite the poor air quality in the country at this time.
They pile up cut tree branches, dry grass and leaves at an open area before burning them without any consideration to the nearby residents who are affected by the smoke, according to JOE.
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Anyone who engages 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 in all places,” he lamented.
In view of the intensity of the fumes from the fire, he said he had no choice but to go elsewhere because his eyes started to get watery.
“I could still sense the smoke even when all the windows and doors are properly shut,” he added.
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He said the situation gets from bad to worse at this around due to the worsening haze in Sabah.
A Department of Environment (DOE) spokesman said its personnel would be asked to verify the complaint soon as possible.
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