Negeri Sembilan Activates Haze And Open Burning Response Plan

SEREMBAN, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Negeri Sembilan government has activated its state-level response plan based on the National Haze Action Plan and National Open Burning Action Plan, in line with instructions from the Department of Environment (DOE).

State Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Climate Change, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman S. Veerapan said the plan was activated after the Air Pollutant Index (API) level exceeded the 150 threshold for a continuous 24-hour period.

“The state government will intensify patrols and enforcement against open burning activities, especially in high-risk agricultural and industrial areas. 

“We will also assess the implementation of cloud seeding technology in collaboration with federal agencies should air pollution levels continue to rise,” he said in a statement today.

He also urged the people in Negeri Sembilan to play an active role by reporting open burning activities through the DOE complaint hotline and supporting the state’s efforts towards a more sustainable future.

According to DOE’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, eight areas in Peninsular Malaysia recorded unhealthy API levels as of 6 pm today.

Alor Gajah in Melaka recorded the highest reading at 157, followed by Seremban (155), Negeri Sembilan; Kemaman (153), Terengganu; Banting, Selangor; Temerloh and Balok Baru in Kuantan, Pahang, each at 152; Nilai (146), Negeri Sembilan; and Johan Setia (140), Selangor.

An API reading between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy, which can have adverse effects on high-risk groups, including the elderly, children, and individuals with respiratory conditions.

-- BERNAMA