KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is conducting on-going joint operations or investigations with the Natural Resources Environment Board and Department of Environment to tackle the issue of open burning at residential areas.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said this included advising and warning offenders.
He emphasised that members of the public must play their roles to solve this problem and be aware that open burning at residential areas can cause nuisance to neighbourhoods as well as air pollution to the environment.
“The community must have a sense of responsibility and awareness of not engaging in open burning activities. Let’s all be sensitive to one another’s concerns on open burning,” he urged during a press conference via Zoom after MPP’s full council meeting today.
“They should dispose of their garden waste or renovation waste properly by contacting Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, which can provide rental of suitable bins for disposal of such items,” he said.
He said from January up until April 27 this year, the council received 24 complaints regarding open burning. Of these 24 complaints, he said 15 were from residential areas.
“Most of the complaints are on burning garden waste — trees, leaves, grass, as well as plastic, paper and wood or old cabinets,” he said.
Lo said smoke from open burning could cause adverse effects to health.
“Smoke from burning garbage or trash contains toxic pollutants and some of them can cause cancer. Additionally, fine particulate matter from burning is one of the more harmful air pollutants to public health,” he said.
He said these pollutants are especially harmful to young people whose lungs are still developing, as well as older people with cardiovascular or respiratory ailments.
