MIRI: The forest fires that resulted in serious haze in northern part of Sarawak, especially in Miri, have been due to a weak enforcement.
Sarawak’s DAP secretary Alan Ling Sie Kiong said the forest fires that occurred in the state are repeating every year, when the dry season comes.
He said government agencies such as the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the Environment Department should enforce stricter rules against those who conducted open burning activities.
“If there’s no stern action taken against those culprits, the issue will not end as they won’t bother much. That’s why the open burning problem couldn’t resolve over the years.
“The government must be firm in addressing this issue as it affects the health of the public,” he said when contacted today.
Ling said the forest fires that occurred in the Vista Perdana and Senadin residential areas were due to agricultural activities.
“It could be avoided if there’s strong enforcement monitoring on the ground, while residents should be responsible as well,” he added.
Meanwhile, Miri fire and rescue chief Law Poh Kiong said the open burnings were usually carried out in the late evening and night time.
“In the past few days, they would begin (open) burning between 8pm and 10pm and caused the Air Pollutant Index (API) to rise at 11pm,” he said.
However, the downpour in the morning has doused the forest fire and the air quality has improved.