DBKU urges public to avoid open burning amid hot, dry weather

KUCHING (April 6): The Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) has urged the public to refrain from open burning, especially amid the current hot and dry weather, to safeguard ambient air quality.

The call was made by Kuching North Datuk Bandar Dato Hilmy Othman following a recent scrub fire covering approximately three hectares along Jalan Sultan Tengah, near Bangunan Sumber Alam in Petra Jaya, around noon on Saturday.

“Investigations conducted by personnel on-site found that several pieces of cable rubber had been deliberately burned by irresponsible individuals, which sparked the fire in the area,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

He added that the commission will intensify monitoring and enforcement from time to time, taking stern action against anyone found violating open burning regulations under Section 113 of the Local Authorities Ordinance, 1996 (by way of abatement).

According to him, activities such as burning garbage, garden waste, or open fields not only pose safety risks but can also affect public health due to haze.

He advised the public to avoid open burning for land clearing, waste disposal, or any other purpose, as current weather conditions can cause fires to spread rapidly and become difficult to control, potentially leading to large-scale incidents.

Hilmy also urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly in fire-prone areas such as grasslands and scrublands, to practise proper waste disposal, limit outdoor burning activities, and report any fire incidents promptly to the authorities.

“The cooperation of everyone is crucial to ensure community safety and the sustainable preservation of our environment,” he stressed.

dry weather Hilmy Othman Kuching North City Commission onsite open burning ban