PETALING JAYA, 30 May: The State Government is reminding the public to not carry out any open burning, especially since we will be facing the El Nino phenomenon.
The Executive Councillor for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment, Elizabeth Wong, said that the effects of the El Nino this year is expected to be worse compared to years before.
She said that the El Nino will cause the air to be very dry, becoming susceptible to open burning, thus threatening life and property.
“We have laws, however we want to prevent it before it becomes serious and that is why we need everyone’s cooperation and awareness.
“Without public awareness, our efforts will not be successful. So we ask everyone to not carry out opening burning for any reason, except religious reasons,” she said.
She was met after inaugurating the closing ceremony of the International Children’s Storytelling Camp at the Sri Damansara Club yesterday.
Prior to this, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) announced that the El Nino will hit the country as an effect of the Southwest Monsoon, which began early May till this coming September, based on the statement issued by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The Southwest Monsoon is said to have started in Malaysia on May 15 and is expected to continue until this September, and generally, this monsoon season is a dry season for this country.
Commenting on measures taken by the State Government in facing the El Nino, Elizabeth said that the State Government will take several steps in relation to monitoring, including extending the hours of patrolling in Johan Setia Klang.
“But actually, the most vulnerable and flammable area is Kuala Langat and it can happen for various reasons.
“Like a previous case, the dam area could catch fire due to a discarded cigarette thrown by anglers in the area,” she said.
