Hotspots in Kalimantan cause of Swak haze
Hotspots in Kalimantan cause of Swak haze
4 September 2009
published by thestar.com.my
Malaysia — The haze has made a return here, the result of the 200 hotspots in neighbouring west Kalimantan.
State Natural Resources Environment Board (NREB) deputy controller Peter Sawal said the transboundary haze had adversely affected air quality in several divisions in the southern region.
It was a bit hazy (yesterday), he said. The API (air pollutant index) in Tebedu (Sarawak-Kaliamatan border town) was 86 (on Wednesday) and in Samarahan, 69.
Sawal said the number of fires in Kalimantan mainly open burning related to commercial farming had doubled from last weeks 100 plus.
At its peak early last month, there were more than 600 hotspots there.
He added that there were no more local hotspots; a month ago there were some 170 statewide.
On the recent fires which destroyed thousands of hectares of forests in the central and northern regions, Sawal said the board had imposed compound fines of up to RM9,000 on some offenders,
He said the amount reflected the severity of the offence.
Our regional offices are still investigating some of the incidents. We will wait for their reports and decide on the next course of action, he added.
