PUTRAJAYA, March 4 — The National Open Burning Action Plan has been activated to enable all parties to increase monitoring of open burning which can cause haze, as well as affect air quality and public health.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the plan was activated on February 21 to enable ministries, departments, relevant agencies, and state governments to take precautionary measures and prevent open burning.
He said the standard operating procedure for Implementing the Peatland Fire Prevention Programme to Overcome Haze in Malaysia has also been activated by the Department of Environment (DOE) since February 26.
“DOE has also increased enforcement actions and monitoring activities via land and air using drones as well as monitoring Air Pollution Index (API) readings from time to time.
"Coordination between relevant agencies to plan fire extinguishing and control works has also been carried out," he said in a statement today.
Nazmi's remarks come after the API in Balok Baru, Kuantan, Pahang recorded unhealthy readings today following a peatland fire at the Cherating Coconut Plantation in the state.
On the fire, he said extinguishing efforts were being actively carried out by the Fire and Rescue Department through firefighting, water bombing, and flooding works in the area, in collaboration with the Public Works Department and the Irrigation and Drainage Department.
After the API readings touched 201 to 300 in Balok Baru yesterday, the DOE issued Warning Notification Notes 3A and 3B to the National Disaster Management Agency's National Disaster Control Centre for the announcement of Disaster Operational Preparedness Notices at the state and district levels.
“This announcement is also intended to enable the District or State Disaster Management Committee to be activated and ensure that actions can be taken in accordance with the National Haze Action Plan,” Nazmi said.
The minister will chair the National Haze and Dry Weather Main Committee Meeting No. 1 of 2025 tomorrow, which would report on the latest status of weather conditions, and air quality and as a platform for planning actions and strategies to prevent open burning and haze, among other things.
“The issue of fires that occurred in coconut farm in Cherating, Kuantan, Pahang and related coordination actions will also be discussed in this meeting,” he said.
Today, the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah urged residents around Balok Baru, especially those with respiratory problems, to be cautious following air pollution in the area.
— Bernama
