PETALING JAYA: The total number of open burning cases in Malaysia has doubled from last year with a whopping 10,638 cases recorded in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Fire and Rescue Department.
The department also identified a total of 748 locations across 88 districts with open burning cases between January and April this year, covering a total area of over 10,200ha. Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the department will be working together with the Environment Department to increase enforcement to prevent open burning nationwide.
This year, the department had put out major forest fires which engulfed a total area of 284ha in Gebeng in Kuantan, Muadzam Shah in Rompin, Pahang, and in Putrajaya. “If haze occurs, it may increase respiratory-related diseases like bronchitis, breathlessness and sore throat; dry weather itself could increase risk of viral transmission, according to a study.