1,671 open and forest fires
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has recorded 1,671 open and forest fires for the first quarter of the year so far with 156 of those cases happening in Kota Kinabalu alone.
Senior Fire Officer II from the Kota Kinabalu Fire and Safety Department, Norkizan Durudin shared this information to the panel speakers and participants of the JCIM Area Sabah’s Part 1 of their Active Citizen Framework (ACF) Workshop, which focused on the issue of ‘Forest Fires and Open Burning in Kota Kinabalu’.
Human factor was identified as the main cause of these cases. As such, Norkizan called on everyone to avoid open burning, throwing their still lit cigarettes indiscriminately and to completely put off any open fires, for example, fire of barbecue pits set in the open on the ground.
The number of cases of uncontrolled open burning and forest fires is expected to increase as the overall weather conditions these days is becoming extremely hot and dry.
Organising chairperson of the workshop, Joan Shim, explained that this was why this topic was chosen for this ACF’s first workshop.
The ACF was a working model which teaches and guides people how to develop possible sustainable solutions to address local community issues or problems.
An important component requirement of the model was that input and support from all sectors of society – private, service/NGO and government, was needed to get a balanced view on the topic in question. Supported by the Sabah Youth Council (Majlis Belia Sabah), this public workshop was led by trainer Jack Lee and saw other prominent speakers sharing their research and perspectives on the matter.
They included Tan Hui Shim who is the head of Planning, Development and Monitoring Unit of WWF (Sabah Office), Dayang Nursakinah Musa who is a lecturer on Forest Management and Conservation from Universiti Malaysia Sabah as well as Brian Ho from BH Packaging Supplies Sdn Bhd. Others who were present were JCIM National Executive Vice President Zyee F. Dullie, National Vice President Jerry Teo and members from JCI Kota Kinabalu, JCI Lintas, JCI Intan, JCI Moyog, JCI Merotai and JCI Labuan.
The public who wish to join future workshops to discuss and develop potential solutions on local issues, may contact Joan at 014-3958161 or Eleanor at 017-3997993, or visit the JCIM Area Sabah Facebook page.