THE Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change has issued a letter on preventing open burning in plantation areas to Malaysian plantation companies, subsidiaries, and Malaysian-linked companies operating in Indonesia. 

Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the letter was intended to remind the companies to take preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of plantation and peat fires, the main cause of transboundary smog pollution in the region. 

In a statement, he said pertinent efforts would continue with the Foreign Ministry through its offices in Indonesia. 

Nik Nazmi also said the government had taken several measures to curb open burning, including activating the National Open Burning Action Plan on April 2, 2023, increasing the frequency and area of patrols and air monitoring through drones in high-risk and fire-prone areas, and continuous monitoring of air quality through the Department of Environment’s (DOE) 65 automated stations. 

“The public is also advised not to conduct open burning and allow their land or premises to be encroached upon by irresponsible parties, as this could result in open burning for an intended purpose or unintentionally,” he said.  

Nik Nazmi said according to the DOE record, 57 compounds were issued between January 1 and August 28, 2023, with two cases subject to court action under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act of 1974. 

He said the implementation of preventive measures is necessary as the country will experience a reduction in rainfall and drier weather due to the southwest monsoon, which started on May 15 and is expected to last until September. 

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in a statement issued on May 9, said the southwest monsoon was expected to begin on May 15 and would continue until Sept 2023. 

It said lower rainfall was expected to occur in most places, and lower humidity and a more stable atmospheric condition would cause less cloud formation. 

On the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS), which has been used by Asean countries since 2003, Nik Nazmi said MetMalaysia has made improvements to it by adding a new element, namely a seven-day forecast to monitor the potential occurrence of fire and its intensity. 

According to the MetMalaysia website, FDRS is a system that monitors the risk of forest fires and provides information that assists in fire management. 

The FDRS could be used to predict fire behaviour and provide guidelines for policymakers in developing actions to protect life, property, and the environment. – Bernama, August 30, 2023.