Ipoh is fortunate that ample rainfall in the last few days has helped clear away the haze.
IPOH is quite fortunate that it has been getting ample rainfall in the last few days, clearing away some of the haze that is currently plaguing other states in the country.
The air pollutant index in the city is at moderate level, ranging between 50 and 70, while the weather continues to show signs of improvement.
If not for the rain, the city might also be engulfed in haze like cities in Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu, which have recorded unhealthy levels.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad had said that the haze was caused by peat fires, open burning and the resumption of economic activities.
With the current hot and dry weather, some of these fires may occur naturally.
But there are also some caused by man, including clearing land by burning vegetation.
These acts are preventable and should not happen in the first place.
There are other ways to clear land including heavy machinery like bulldozers.
As for rubbish, one should take note of local councils’ scheduled garden waste collection services and use them instead of putting fire to it.
Former Natural Resources and Environment minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had called on the Federal Government to declare a ban on open burning activities to prevent the haze from worsening.
But why is there a need for a ban to be called when open burning is an offence under the Environmental Quality Act 1974?
Does this mean that people can carry out open burning if there is no ban?
This is not the first time the country has been smothered by haze and it does not look like it will be the last.
If there really is a need for a ban on open burning, then ensure it is permanent and cannot be lifted.
By eliminating one of the factors that can cause haze, the government will have one less problem to worry about.
The relevant authorities should really be coming down hard on these irresponsible people, with or without the ban, and haul them to court.
Proactive steps must be taken.
Under the Act, any person found guilty of committing the offence can be fined not exceeding RM500,000 or sentenced to a maximum of five years’ jail or both.
Perhaps, a heavier fine or punishment is required if the current penalties are not enough to deter people from open burning.
If the perpetrators have no issues with doing something illegal, then they should not have issues dealing with the consequences either.
