SHAH ALAM: Selangor had, two days ago, entered the early warning stage of the National Haze Action Plan after the Department of Environment (DoE)’s Air Pollution Index (API) in Banting and Shah Alam hit the unhealthy level on Sunday and today respectively with the readings of over 100.
Following that, the Selangor state government today issued a warning against anyone carrying out open burning activities and for everyone to stay indoors.
State government executive councillor for Selangor Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian warned that irresponsible parties caught committing open burning risk being immediately compounded a maximum of RM2,000 under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Under Section 29(A) of the same Act, one can be fined not more than RM500,000 or imprisonment less than five years, or both, if found guilty.
Hee added that from January up to yesterday, five individuals and companies have been fined by the DoE for open burning activities while an investigation paper has been opened.
“We will come down hard on the culprits and there will be no compromise. The Selangor DoE is actively patrolling open burning prone areas such as Johan Setia, from 2pm to 11pm daily, and we are also deploying drones to detect such activities.
“We also urge the public to reduce outdoors activities. We advise school administrators to halt all out of classroom activities that involve students and to postpone gatherings and sports programmes that would be held out of school buildings,” said Hee in a press conference held on the side lines of the Selangor state legislative assembly sitting at the state secretariat building today.
Also present was Selangor DoE director Shafee Yasin.
State education department director Mohd Salleh Mohd Kassim had on Monday said a reminder has been sent out to its district offices and schools that all outdoor activities must be stopped if the API is over 100.
If the API reading goes over 200, which is very unhealthy level, all schools in the affected areas and districts must be closed immediately.
Hee said the cause of haze in Selangor stemmed from bush and forest fires in Sepang and Kuala Langat districts following the dry and hot spell phenomenon.
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department, added Hee, is currently battling to douse fires in Banting at Hutan Simpan Kekal Kompartment 12, 13, 15; at KM27 of Elite Highway northbound; and Jalan Lapis 5 in Kampung Baharu Sungai Pelek.