KUALA LUMPUR: Rompin recorded unhealthy air quality following a peat fire in a farm near Kampung Kerpal, Muadzam Shah, Pahang.
Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said in a statement that as of 11 this morning, the district recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 166.
“Following the API reading reaching 151- 200 over 24 hours in Rompin, Pahang, DOE has issued an Early Warning Notification Note 2 which will lead to the activation of the District/State Disaster Management Committee to response based on the National Haze Action Plan,“ he said.
Wan Abdul Latiff said his department had also stepped up enforcement and monitoring activities by land and air using drones and monitoring API readings from time to time.
“Coordination between the relevant agencies and the farm owner on extinguishing and controlling the fire has also been held,“ according to DOE.
He also advised all land owners to closely monitor areas that are prone to fire to take preventive measures on irresponsible parties that cause open burning either for a specific purpose or accidentally.
According to him, under Section 29(A), Environmental Quality Act 1974, those convicted of open burning can be fined not more than RM 500,000 or imprisoned not more than five years or both, in addition to a maximum compound of RM2,000 can also be imposed for every offence.
