Open burning: smoke smothers 200 families in Sandakan for 4 years

SANDAKAN – While the rendition of the classic Smoke Gets in Your Eyes is a welcoming tune, little can be said about the smoke in the lives of over 200 families in Taman Mawar, Jalan Sibuga, here.

For the past four years, these families have had to “inhale” smoke caused by open burning by fellow neighbours.

Complaints to the Sandakan Environment Department (DoE) have also proved futile.

One of the residents, Milvin Chai, said some 10 houses in the vicinity have been burning garbage up to five times a week since 2016.

“My living room has no air conditioner, so we open the door for better ventilation. It is so annoying to smell smoke almost every night.

“I have been trying all sorts of methods to solve this problem ever since I had a baby in 2019.”

Chai said he lodged a complaint to the district DoE in 2019, and warnings were issued to those responsible for the open burning.

“However, after a few weeks, they start burning trash again. To avoid getting caught, they burn trash near midnight… it is harder to detect the smoke at night, and DoE enforcement officers are not working at night.”

Chai also notified state representatives and the media, but the problem still persists.

The open burning is done on an empty piece of land behind their houses, where fruits and vegetables are planted.

Another resident, who wishes to be known only as Lawrence, said he is often awakened by a strong smell of smoke at night.

“I have investigated the source of the smoke, and found that several houses in Lorong 43 (in Taman Mawar) are burning trash. I approached them once, but they ignored me and hid in their houses.

“The burning continues for about three to five hours. I do not understand why they have to burn their trash when there are garbage trucks scheduled to pick up garbage here.”

He said the open burning in Taman Mawar Phase 2 has been affecting Lorong 40 to 43 residents, involving around 200 houses.

The Vibes contacted the Sandakan DoE, but was told it could not dispatch a team to the residential area due to the enhanced movement control order.

The department advised residents to not openly burn their garbage as they can be jailed for five years or fined up to RM500,000, or both, if found guilty.

Members of the public can call 999 or lodge complaints on the DoE website. – The Vibes, August 9, 2021