KUCHING: People should avoid open burning activities during the current hot and dry weather conditions, says a Sarawak deputy minister.
State Deputy Energy and Environmental Sustainability Minister Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said open burning could cause fires or haze.
"The government will not hesitate to take action against those who commit open burning offences," he said in a statement on Monday (April 17).
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Dr Hazland called for public cooperation to put out small fires and report cases of open burning to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board.
He said the state government was stepping up efforts to prevent open burning and haze which could affect air quality and public health.
At the same time, he added, Sarawak was implementing strategic measures to mitigate the impact of climate change.
"This includes introducing a circular economy and using green energy such as hydroelectricity, solar power, hydrogen and biofuel.
"We are also conserving our forests to store carbon, which can then generate carbon credits, besides exploring the carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) sector," he said.
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Meanwhile, state Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Khirudin Drahman called on the public to be extra cautious in doing any open burning or slash-and-burn clearing of land for farming.
"All burning activities must be done with caution and use measures to avoid uncontrolled spread (of fire) which poses a danger to residential areas nearby.
"Bomba teams with the relevant agencies will be monitoring the situation," he said.
According to Bomba statistics, 168 cases of open burning were recorded in Sarawak from Jan 1 to Monday.
Most were bush fires (92 cases) and burning of rubbish (61).
