KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Department of Environment has enforced laws related to open burning, said state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

He said among the strategies was the activation of the National Open Burning Action Plan and Standard Operating Procedures which have been in effect since Feb 16, 2024.

He added that the authorities had also implemented fire prevention programmes on peat lands by conducting intensive patrols.

"The Department of Environmental Protection under my ministry controls open burning by ensuring that developers of projects with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval comply with the prohibition on open burning.

"DoE also implements the Environmental Self-regulation programmes in Tawau, Keningau and Sandakan to enhance compliance with the environmental conditions, especially the prohibition on open burning," he said during a question-and-answer session at the state assembly sitting here.

Joniston was replying to a question from Rina Jainal (Harapan-Kukusan) on action against those who burn their own land and other people's land for agricultural purposes, contributing to open burning as well as climate change.

Joniston said farmers who engage in open burning for agricultural purposes face a fine of up to RM2,000 per offence.

He added that action had been taken against those involved in open burning.

The DoE had also implemented initiatives such as continuous air quality monitoring in hotspot areas through patrols and the use of drones.

He said fines of up to RM500,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, would be imposed on offenders.

Farmers who engage in open burning for agricultural purposes would be compounded up to RM2,000 per offence.

"My ministry, together with relevant ministries and departments, will continue to intensify efforts to control global warming and climate change, guided by the strategies and action plans outlined under the Sabah Environmental Protection Policy 2017."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1041612/sabah-doe-cracking-down-open-burning-offenders-says-joniston