KUCHING – The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) will soon convene to discuss matters pertaining to the current dry weather.
SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also deputy premier, said the committee will discuss how to prevent the occurrence of haze, especially in the local context.
“The ‘landas’ (wet) season is over and since last week we have been experiencing hot and dry weather. So. we want to alert all divisional disaster management committees to keep a close watch on all hotspots and potential ones in their respective divisions.
“They must always be on their toes, make the necessary preparations like in dealing with fire outbreaks and other related problems,” he said after attending a breaking of fast function at Masjid Darul Syifa in Spaoh, Betong last night.
Uggah hopes that individuals involved in the plantation industry will not engage in any open burning.
“Always extinguish any fire that you have started in your garden, farm or before you leave. The longer the dry season is, the wood and vegetation debris in all these places will be highly combustible.
“So, the danger is a small fire can become a big one, especially in peat soil areas. Let us all be very careful,” he cautioned.
With the increasing Covid-19 cases now happening in Peninsular Malaysian states and in some countries, Uggah said people should take the necessary steps to avoid being infected.
“For us in Sarawak… so far so good. But this should not lull us into complacency or let down our guard. As we all know, Covid-19 is highly infectious.
“So, let us take the usual necessary steps like wearing face masks or practising social distancing when we gather in large groups,” he said.
He advised people to not assume that it is just the regular flu if they happen to develop any Covid-19 symptoms such as fever.
He said they must see a doctor to ascertain if they have been infected with the virus.
“Now we have the medicine, the vaccination; unlike in the early days. Let us continue to be mindful and watch out for each other,” he said.
Joining him at the function was Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu.
Earlier, both Uggah and Richard visited a number of rural transformation projects in the Betong division. – Borneo Post Online, April 16, 2023
