Kedah’s environment department received 108 open burning reports from January to February, with three districts recording the highest complaint rates

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) received 108 complaints related to open burning in the first two months of the year.

Director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the districts of Sungai Petani, Kota Setar and Kulim recorded the highest number of complaints.

She attributed the incidents primarily to irresponsible public behaviour, exacerbated by current hot and dry weather conditions that allow fires to spread rapidly.

“DOE only received 108 complaints but the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received more than 1,000 cases related to open burning,” she told reporters at a breaking of fast event.

Sharifah Zakiah said this discrepancy makes it difficult for her department to take comprehensive enforcement action.

She warned that open burning is a serious offence under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

Her department will increase patrols to prevent such activities, which cause nuisance and health hazards to nearby residents.

“Open burning can be a nuisance to nearby residents,” she explained, noting that smoke from burning domestic waste, plastic and tyres produces polluted fumes.

The Kedah DOE has established strategic cooperation with JBPM to better identify areas where open burning is occurring.

Sharifah Zakiah urged the public to report any open burning activities via the DOE toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727 or through the e-complaint portal on its official website.

 The Sun Malaysia