KUCHING: A total of 3,441 vehicle inspections has been carried out by the Sarawak Department of Environment (DOE) as of October this year to ensure all vehicles comply with emission standards set under environmental regulations.
Sarawak DOE Director, John Rampai, said the operations resulted in 45 compound offers issued to vehicle owners who failed to meet the required emission limits.
He said the figures reflected the department’s continuous effort to monitor and control exhaust emissions from motor vehicles.
“As we know, pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particles from vehicles are major contributors to air pollution.
“Failure to control these emissions affects air quality and poses health risks to the public,” he said at the launch of the National Motor Vehicle Operation Week held in conjunction with World Ozone Day here today.
John assured that the department would continue coordinated enforcement operations to curb pollution from motor vehicles.
He also stressed the importance of proper refrigerant handling to protect the ozone layer.
“The ozone layer is a critical shield that protects us from excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause health problems, and affect marine and agricultural ecosystems.
“Its preservation is a shared responsibility, and proper management of refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in vehicle air-conditioning and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), in cooling systems is essential,” he added.
The Motor Vehicle Operation Week will be carried out simultaneously nationwide in the second week of December, and the operations will continue periodically from time to time.
John added that the initiative aims to raise public awareness on the importance of controlling emissions from motor vehicles, while educating road users to comply with the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
