NIBONG TEBAL – The Penang Environment Department has issued 20 compounds costing RM40,000 against a premises owner in Nibong Tebal here for processing oil palm husks which resulted in opening burning and for allowing open burning to occur at the premises.
Its director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said although a fire had occurred since noon yesterday, the Fire and Rescue Department was only informed at 3.53pm when things grew out of control.
The department went onsite to investigate upon being informed by the Fire and Rescue Department that the fires were a common occurrence and investigations revealed that the premises had violated Section 29A(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and had several scheduled waste management non-compliances under the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations.
“We conducted air quality monitoring work and thermal drone flights to detect and map hotspots to assist firefighting efforts,” she said in a statement here today, adding that the open burning was now under control and firefighting efforts and prevention measures, including creating firebreaks, were still being conducted.
“The fire at the premises had also contributed to the degradation of air quality around Nibong Tebal,” she added. – Bernama, August 13, 2022
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