Action plan in the works to curb open burning

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government will work with the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry to put in place measures to prevent open burning in Johan Setia, Klang.

State executive councillor Hee Loy Sian said equipment such as a check dam, tube well and water meter have been installed to keep track of water levels in the district.

“We want to ensure that the levels remain consistent,” said Hee, who is State Environment, Green Technology, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman.

“Now it is just a matter of aligning (our priorities) and making sure there is someone to constantly monitor the water levels,” he told reporters after a visit by minister Yeo Bee Yin at the Selangor state government building yesterday.

He said it was “very costly” to put the equipment in place.

Based on previous records, open burning would begin in March and last until August.

He noted that apart from fire, the fumes also affected residents nearby. Hee said there is mainly peat soil in Johan Setia and it is very flammable. “It burns very well underground as well,” he added.

“A fire can easily start in peat soil, and it is difficult to put it out, especially if it is underground. That is why we have a tube well to ensure that there is water underground.”

He pointed out that the fires, coupled with the resulting haze, were harmful and to overcome the issue, a real time sensor would be installed to monitor the situation from a command centre.

“This will save us time, otherwise we would have to go down to the ground every time something happens and Johan Setia is quite far from here.”