KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has urged all parties to play their part in preventing fires as the state endures prolonged hot and dry weather.
SDMC Chairman and Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, appealed to the public to avoid open burning and report any such activity to the authorities.
He said that everyone must play their part to ensure that fires can be avoided.
“Therefore, we are advising all companies and plantation operators to cease any open burning until now. Landowners must be vigilant to make sure there is no fire and if there is one, they must take action and report.
“For the public, we appeal to them not to conduct open burning, and should they detect any hotspot, they should report to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) or the Resident Office immediately,” he said at a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
He said the state has mobilised efforts to address the situation, focusing on fire prevention and maintaining adequate water supply across affected areas.
This follows a briefing by key agencies, including the Meteorological Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department, Fire and Rescue Department, NREB, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and the Welfare Department.
“We have received reports on the preparations of the emergency agencies to face the situation that may occur, especially fires, and also the shortage of drinking water.
“Everyone must be prepared to ensure the minimum impact on issues such as burning or lack of water. There are now 220 hotspots recorded in Sarawak,” he said.
According to Uggah, fires in Kuala Baram, Mukah, Marudi and Kota Samarahan have been brought under control yesterday.
In Mukah, heavy rain in the morning helped suppress the blaze which affected over 75 hectares of peatland.
On the water supply situation, SDMC has received 675 applications for drinking water assistance, with Miri registering the highest number involving 340 families.
Uggah stated that JBALB is monitoring the situation and has activated a committee to assess water sources.
“At the moment, there is no issue. But they will inform the government if further action is needed,” he said, adding that 12 government-owned water tankers are on standby across the state.
In addition, he shared that the NREB has revoked all previously issued open burning permits for plantations and imposed a total ban.
