RESIDENTS of Taman Melawati in Kuala Lumpur are fuming over the constant open burning on Bukit Tabur and want the authorities to act swiftly to put an end to the menace.

They said it has become more rampant since last August and feared that wild animals could be forced to roam in residential areas.

They said people have been denied access to the hill since 2017 and blamed landowners for the open burning when cultivating the land.

Taman Melawati Residents’ Association chairman Azhari Abd Taharim said the burning has been going on for some time now.

“Ever since we took office in 2019, we have been monitoring the open burning on Bukit Tabur and we record them with full details,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The latest incident, recorded in the late evening of July 2, was a seven-second clip, showing bright red orange flames at the west side of the hill.

Azhari, who visited to the site a day before the latest incident, said the workers had assured him that there would be no open burning.

He said Bukit Tabur has been closed to the public since 2017 and those who want to hike up the hill have to obtain a permit from the relevant authorities.

He said the owners of private land are believed to have obtained permission to carry out farming on the slopes of Bukit Tabur.

“I have made multiple complaints to the authorities, but actions are taken only occasionally,” he said.

Kennedy John, 49, a Taman Melawati resident since 1976, said the open burning on Bukit Tabur has been occurring more often since last August.

“The authorities should impose the full provisions of the law rigorously and immediately upon receipt of complaints,” he said.

“They should also make the incident public to stop more open burning from taking place.”

Another resident, Lim Soon Ann, 53, who has been living in Taman Melawati for almost 30 years, said the open burning would stop only for a while when the authorities had taken action.

“Due to the open burning, wildlife on Bukit Tabur has been displaced and there are king cobras roaming in residential areas,” he said.

“Even langurs and pig-tailed macaques are forced to find food in the residential area.”

Lim said Bukit Tabur must return be preserved as it is a catchment area for the Klang Gate dam.

When contacted, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) media relations officer Norhayati Ahmad said the council received a complaint from the association on July 4.

“Investigations found that workers carried out open burning when cleaning up the area,” she said.

“MPAJ’s enforcement department has issued a Form B notice, under Section 82 of the Local Government Act 1976, to the farm operator for open burning.”

She said the council will be monitoring the situation to ensure that the farm operator comply with the notice. – July 7, 2021.