Immediate ban against open burning in three states - DOE

Selangor, Malacca and Johor have been ban against open burning until a date to be specified later, as announced by The Department of Environment (DOE).

Its director-general, Datuk Halimah Hassan in a statement here today, said the ban was announced according to Section 29AA(2) of the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2001.

However, exceptions would be given for religious and funeral rites, frills or barbeques and gas flaring activities.

"Those who are convicted with the open burning offence can face fine of not more than RM500,000 or a maximum imprisonment of five years, or both," she said.

Halimah also added that, a maximum compound fine of RM2,000 can also be imposed for each offence.

The three states were currently suffering from the smoky haze that were caused by forest fires in neighboring Indonesia.

She also urged the public to cooperate by putting out small fires and report any open burning activity to the Fire and Rescue Department and DOE by calling the hotline 1-800-88-272 or 03-88891972/03-88880336.