logo
Haze: Selangor authorities ordered to step up checks at hotspots

Haze: Selangor authorities ordered to step up checks at hotspots

The Star6 days ago
LOCAL authorities in Selangor have been ordered to step up monitoring of hotspots for wildfires in the state in view of the current haze situation.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the authorities had so far managed to put out three fires in Kuala Kubu Baru, Kajang and Sri Gombak.
'I have asked, during the state executive council meeting, for proactive actions to be taken.
'My concern is fire at peat soil areas, which may take more time and resources to put out,' he said when met at the Selangor Children's Book Fair 2025 in Shah Alam on Friday (July 25).
Earlier today, media reported that Johan Setia in Klang became the first place in Selangor to hit an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 152 by 10am, which was above the unhealthy threshold (100).
On Thursday, state public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said parents were allowed to excuse their children from school due to the worsening haze.
She also said schools were not to carry out outdoor activities if the API reading exceeded 100 and would be ordered to close if it went over 200.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dry spell: Divisional, district SDMCs instructed to be on standby
Dry spell: Divisional, district SDMCs instructed to be on standby

Borneo Post

timea day ago

  • Borneo Post

Dry spell: Divisional, district SDMCs instructed to be on standby

Uggah (centre) visits one of the booths at BIIS 2025 with other distinguished guests. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 30): The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) will hold a meeting to monitor the haze situation in Mukah and also address the water shortage affecting several villages. According to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, the SDMC chairman, Sarawak is currently experiencing hot and dry weather, and thus, all divisional and district-level disaster management committees have been instructed to be on standby as this is a yearly occurrence. He said he received a report from the Mukah Resident on Monday and action had already been taken. 'Our directive was to monitor the situation. 'In Kuala Baram, we have directed Natural Resources and Environment (NREB) to deploy their drones,' he said when met by reporters after the launch of Borneo International Integrity Summit (BIIS) 2025 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday. Uggah said the strategy meant to detect smoke early, especially in the case of peat fires. 'The strategy is always to identify the smoke because this peat fire; if we wait to see flames, then a big area has already been burned. 'That's why we're using the strategy to identify using drones to see the smoke and take action.' Uggah also reminded all resident and district offices to monitor villages facing water shortages, and to work closely with Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB). 'This is a serious issue and we have to make sure that our machinery is prepared to face the situation on the ground,' said Uggah. The Deputy Premier also advised the public against open-burning, warning that small fires could easily lead to larger ones. He added that the Health Department would provide guidance, should the Air Pollutant Index (API) reach unhealthy levels and urged everyone to take care of their health. 'Please cooperate, everyone including the public, to make sure that we can prevent open-burning. It can be controlled,' he stressed.

Lee urges vigilance against peat fires as Miri faces hot, dry spell
Lee urges vigilance against peat fires as Miri faces hot, dry spell

Borneo Post

time2 days ago

  • Borneo Post

Lee urges vigilance against peat fires as Miri faces hot, dry spell

Malaysian Army personnel seen in action during a firefighting operation against peat fire in this file photo. MIRI (July 29): Landowners and estate operators, particularly those in fire-prone peat areas here, are being urged to remain vigilant and closely monitor their lands to prevent any open burning activities. Sarawak Transport Minister and Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said that any signs of fire must be dealt with promptly. 'We cannot afford to be complacent,' he said in a statement today. Several areas in Miri, in particular Permyjaya, Senadin and Kuala Baram, are known to be prone to peat fires over the years, which have long been a cause for concern, especially during prolonged dry and hot spells. Commenting on the current heat and haze in Miri, Lee said he had called for immediate and coordinated action to reduce fire risks. 'I have highlighted Miri's situation personally to the chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, when he was in Miri for the Sarawak Day celebration. 'He had instructed the Miri Resident to urgently mobilise relevant enforcement agencies to conduct ground patrols and take necessary actions to prevent wildfires, especially in hotspot-prone areas,' he said. Lee added that the Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee is scheduled to convene a meeting on July 30 (tomorrow) to enhance coordination between the relevant departments and agencies, ensuring swift and collective action to mitigate wildfire risks in peat soil areas. The key agencies involved, he said, include the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Civil Defence Force (APM), Department of Environment (DOE), Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Sarawak Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), Sarawak Water Supply Company, local authorities as well as the Health Department. Lee also urged the public to fully cooperate with the authorities and refrain from any form of open burning. 'If you see fire or suspicious smoke, alert the Bomba immediately. We must all be ready to respond swiftly and responsibly,' he said. He further advised the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions should the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings reach unhealthy levels. Lee emphasised that community cooperation is vital in preventing environmental disasters during this dry season. landowners Lee Kim Shin open-burning peat fire

Sarawak schools urged to limit outdoor activities amid haze
Sarawak schools urged to limit outdoor activities amid haze

The Sun

time2 days ago

  • The Sun

Sarawak schools urged to limit outdoor activities amid haze

KUCHING: Schools across Sarawak have been instructed to minimise outdoor activities as haze and hot weather persist, raising health concerns for students. State Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah emphasised the need for precautionary measures, particularly for vulnerable children. Fatimah advised that extracurricular programmes should be moved indoors where possible. 'The current air quality is unsafe due to haze. Outdoor activities should be avoided,' she said after the Petronas Empowering Knowledge 2025 Education Sponsorship Award ceremony. She highlighted the risks for students with respiratory conditions, urging them to wear face masks. 'Children with asthma need special attention. We strongly encourage mask usage as a precaution,' she added. Schools have also been directed to monitor Air Pollution Index (API) readings regularly and adjust activities accordingly. As of 8 am today, Lundu recorded the highest API reading at 88, up from 79 the previous evening. Kuching's API remained stable at 74. The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) confirmed moderate air quality across all 18 monitoring stations in Sarawak. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store