NRE activates Open Burning Prevention Action Plan

PETALING JAYA: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has activated the Open Burning Prevention Action Plan on Tuesday as a counter measure in dealing with the hot and dry weather that is expected to last until March.
In a statement issued today, the ministry said that the action plan encompasses on-ground patrol activities for monitoring and enforcement purposes at hotspots areas, legal action against open burning cases at construction sites, industry and farms, in which compound notices will be served to the offenders.
"As of Jan 12, 33 open burning cases were detected nationwide in which nine involved forest and bush areas, 12 cases in agriculture areas, one in an industrial estate, and two cases of small opening burning," according to the statement.
The ministry said those found guilty of conducting open burning could be fined up to RM500,000 or face a maximum prison term of five years or both.
A RM2,000 compound can also be charged for each offense.