Nine under probe for open burning
Nine under probe for open burning
24August 2005
published by www.nst.com.my
SHAH ALAM — Nine companies and individuals are being investigated for open burning in Selangor and they are expected to be charged soon.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the Selangor Department of Environment and the state legal adviser were going through the investigation papers.
He said the nine were responsible for some of the open burning when the haze blanketed the State.
Twenty-two individuals had been slapped with the maximum fine of RM2,000 each.
Dr Khir said this after chairing the weekly State executive council meeting today.
He said the State would introduce a demerit system for council staff to ensure they carried out their responsibilities.
For example, he said if a drain was clogged and not cleaned, the officer responsible for drain maintenance would have points deducted.
“In the end, if a worker has negative points, we know he has not been doing his work.”
However, he said the exact mechanism of the system was being worked out.
“It will first be used in local councils and if successful, will be expanded to other state employees,” he said.
In Kuala Lumpur, most parts of the city were clear from the haze.
At 5pm today, 42 stations nationwide recorded an Air Pollutant Index of between 0 and 50, which is “good”, while seven others were at 51 and 100 (moderate).
