ALOR SETAR: Members of the public in Kedah have been warned not to be involved in open burning during the current hot spell, says state Environment Department (DOE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab.

       She said the department is intensifying environmental monitoring and patrols in the state.

       “We want to check on the existence of activities that may lead to environmental pollution and pose health risks to the public.

       “This includes open burning, illegal disposal of scheduled waste, discharge of effluents, and emission of pollutants into the air by premises that do not comply with the set limits,” she added.

       She said the patrols will be focussed in industrial areas at Pendang, Sik and Yan.

       Sharifah Zakiah said checks will also be carried out in potential hotspot areas prone to illegal disposal of wastes.

       She urged the public not to engage in land encroachment activities and open burning.

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       Action can be taken against those caught carrying out open burning under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, of which offenders can be issued with a RM2,000 fine. They can also be brought to court and fined up to RM500,000 or imprisonment of not more than five years or both.

       She urged land and building owners to carry out monitoring to ensure that they are not used as places for the accumulation, processing or disposal of scheduled waste.

       Violations under Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 may result in a maximum fine of RM500,000, mandatory imprisonment for up to five years, and a RM2,000 compound for each offense.