CITIZENS Awareness Chant Group today urged the state government to seek the federal government’s help to put out the fire at the landfill in Pulau Burung, Nibong Tebal.

The adviser of this civil society group, Yan Lee, said the measure is urgently needed to put out the blaze for the safety and health of the people.

He said the fire, which started on January 12, is still burning, causing much worry to the residents there.

“Why does the state government not want to seek help from the federal government? I urge that the state government be transparent in providing information and explaining the actions taken so far and by when can the fire be totally put out,” he told Bernama through WhatsApp.

Bernama today found the air hazy along Penang Bridge and poor visibility on the island.

Penang Department of Environment director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab, when contacted, said she did not dismiss the possibility of a haze in Seberang Perai due to the landfill fire.

“However, based on our observation, it could be minimal. Although it can be spread out by the wind, the impact on the other areas in Penang is minimal,” she said.

“All the air quality monitoring stations in the state are recording air pollution index (API) of medium status, namely in Seberang Jaya at 75, Seberang Perai (68), Minden (66) and Balik Pulau (68). As at 11am today, the API reading at Ladang Byram in Nibong Tebal was 92.”

The fire at the Jalan Byram landfill was reported at about 5pm on January 12 and nearby residents were then asked to move to a relief centre while 10 schools were ordered to close.

On January 22, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the reinvestigation by the Fire and Rescue Department at the 33ha landfill site found that the fire involved about 11ha and it was being put out with water and sand. – Bernama, January 27, 2022.