00:01The Environment Department has opened an investigation into parties suspected of carrying
00:08out open burning linked to a forest fire in a peatland area at Kampung Baru, Kuala Abang
00:14in Dungun, Terengganu on April 22.
00:17In a statement on Monday, the Department said it views the incident seriously and has launched
00:23an investigation under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
00:31It added that if the investigation finds any offences under the law, firm action will be
00:36taken under the same provision.
00:38Offenders, if convicted, may face a fine of not less than 25,000 ringgit and up to 1 million
00:45ringgit imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
00:49The DOE also said it conducted an investigation at the site after receiving information about
00:55the fire, which involved around 32 hectares of government reserve land.
01:00It said the fire produced thick smoke that could affect air quality and impact nearby residents,
01:07including sensitive areas such as educational institutions.
01:12The DOE has implemented several measures, including continuous air quality monitoring,
01:18through portable equipment installed near the fire site.
01:22At 8am on Monday, the Air Pollutant Index, or API, reading in the area, stood at 88, classified
01:31as moderate.
01:32The Department is also using drones to monitor the extent of the fire and is working closely
01:38with the Fire and Rescue Department and other agencies to control and extinguish it.
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