The Star 1 Aug 11;
DESPITE the recent haze, open burning is still being conducted around Penang, both on the island and mainland, with no regard to the environment.
One such incident occurred yesterday on Jalan Sungai Nipah in Balik Pulau, where an empty plot of land was spotted on fire with thick smoke billowing.
Strong winds caused the fire to spread across the entire plot within minutes.
State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Com-mittee chairman Phee Boon Poh was disappointed that open burning was still being carried out despite numerous reminders not to do so.
“I appeal to the public to report any incident of open burning to the Department of Environment (DOE), the local council or their assemblyman,” he said.
The public can call the DOE hotline at 1-800-88-2727 if they come across open burning activities.
The haze since July was brought about by the south-westerly winds blowing from the ‘hot spots’ in Sumatra, the hot weather and open burning.
Intermittent rains have helped reduce the haze.
