KOTA KINABALU: The Public should stop all open burning activities amid concerns about the rising number of uncontrolled fires that are triggering a localised haze, says Datuk Christina Liew.

       The Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said that every member of the public was duty-bound to refrain from open burning which was contributing to the localised haze situation in certain areas in Sabah.

       "I have been informed that open burning, jungle and bush fires were being reported in many parts of the state.

       "People must remain health conscious and refrain from any open burning activities during the current dry spell.

       "They should also exercise caution to prevent the current incidence of bushfires from escalating.

       "I was informed that some bushfires could have been caused by the indiscriminate disposal of cigarette butts along roadsides in some areas," she said.

       Liew urged the public to follow the advice of the relevant authorities.

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       She said from Jan 1 this year till Mar 13, there were a total 961 cases of fire outbreaks in 25 districts in Sabah based on the statistics provided by the Fire and Rescue Services Department.

       "These cases involved bush fires, estate or farm fires, forest fires and peat fires," she said.

       Most of the fires recorded were in Tuaran with 271 cases, followed by Kota Belud (136), Kota Kinabalu and its greater area (165 cases) and Penampang (60).