Open burning despite haze, MCO
Published on: Saturday, April 04, 2020
By: Oliver Voon
DESPITE the recent haze, open burning is still being conducted around Manggatal. Regardless of in housing estates or villages, the culprits seemed to have little regard for the environment and people staying at home in compliance with the Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.One such incident occurred on March 23, apparently perpetrated by workers of a workshop next to Taman Richdar, who burned rubbish with thick smoke billowing to the nearby residential area.
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Strong winds caused the smoke to spread all over the area within minutes.
A spokesman for the City Hall’s Enforcement Division, when contacted, said he was disappointed that open burning was still being carried out despite numerous reminders not to do so during the current dry spell.
“I wish to remind the public to stop doing it as the smoke can be nauseating to people who are staying at home during the MCO,” he added.
He urged those who spotted people resorting to open burning to report them immediately to their Hotline at 088-210011.
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“We began warning the residents (Taman Richdar) at 1pm by using loud hailers and that a compound will be issued to those who ignore our warnings,” he said.
JOSHUA, a resident, said the recent rain helped to reduce smog in their residential area.
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“The authority came but that did not stop some of the residents here from resorting to burning their garden waste at their respective backyards,” he added.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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He urged City Hall to compound those who failed to comply with the earlier instructions.
“We could die of smoke inhalation more easily than contracting coronavirus,” he said. (OV)