New Straits Times 25 Mar 14;
KEPALA BATAS: Land-clearing by open burning has been identified as the main source of bush fires in the country, said Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.
He said the main culprits for more than 90 per cent of bush fires reported to date were those who wanted a quicker and cheaper way of clearing bushes for small-scale agricultural activities.
"We receive between 200 and 300 calls on bush fires nationwide daily.
"The majority of them involved bush fires and most of the cases were caused by those wanting to clear bush land for small-scale farming," he said after giving away commendation letters to 142 firemen in the northern states.
He said the department received 17,000 telephone calls on bush and peat fires between Jan 15 and March 15 this year.
"In comparison, we received about the same number of calls on bush and peat fires for the first six months of last year.
"That is how serious the problem is now," he said, adding that everyone should be concerned and take steps to stop open burning in light of the current hot and dry spell.
He said unless the matter was checked, haze could worsen in many parts of the country.
'Cloud seeding to continue in west coast'
MASTURA YUSOFF AND QISTINA HAMIZAN New Straits Times 25 Mar 14;
MET DEPT: Necessary due to critical water levels
KUALA LUMPUR: CLOUD seeding will continue to replenish water levels at dams nationwide.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said cloud seeding remained an option despite the rainfall. She said cloud seeding was necessary as the water level in dams across peninsular Malaysia were critical.
"We will monitor clouds at the dam areas that are suitable for cloud seeding every day. As soon as there are suitable clouds for cloud seeding, we will send the aircraft for the job."
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah said cloud seedings would be carried out at the Muda and Pedu dams in Kedah; Klang Gates Dam in Kuala Lumpur; and Jus Dam in Jasin, Malacca.
He said Cessna aircraft will be used for the operations, which will start in the north, namely in Kedah and to the South in Johor.
Meanwhile, the air quality nationwide yesterday was good except for 11 areas, which recorded moderate levels of Air Pollutant Index (API) as of 5pm.
The areas were Shah Alam ,with an API reading of 58, Kuala Selangor (64), Port Klang (52), Sibu (52), Kota Kinabalu (51), USM (62), Perai (53), Kangar (54), S K Jalan Pegoh (60) Jalan Tasek (54) and Balok Baru (58). The other 41 areas recorded good API readings.
A reading of between 0 and 50 is categorised as good, 51 and 100 as moderate, 101 and 200 as unhealthy, 201 and 300 as very unhealthy and 300 and above as hazardous.
Department of Environment director-general Datuk Halimah Hassan said they would continue monitoring the air quality through 52 stations nationwide to identify changes in the API.
"The current heavy rain during inter-monsoon season helps to improve weather condition," she told the New Straits Times.
