By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Feb 15 — The state government has drafted a new standard operating procedure (SOP) to address the issue of forest fires, especially in the Revolusi Hijau area in Johan Setia, Klang and the Kuala Langat Selatan Forest Reserve (KLSFR).
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the proposed SOP will be discussed with the Department of Environment (DOE) on March 1 to make preparation for the hot weather.
“We are expected to face hot weather in March, April, July and August. Therefore, the meeting is to address issues that will arise later.
“Preparations need to be made and we will ensure that tube wells can supply water to put out the fires in the event it breaks out in certain localities,” he said.
He said so far they had received reports of fires in the Revolusi Hijau area in Johan Setia, Klang but it was not serious.
On August 13 last year, the state government through the DOE activated the National Open Burning Action Plan (PTPTK) following related issues in the Revolusi Hijau area in Johan Setia, Klang.
Hee informed the SOP for peat fire prevention for the implementation of prevention, monitoring, extinguishing and enforcement measures were also introduced in tackling open burning.
DOE has declared that open burning is prohibited in Selangor, Pahang and Johor effective from March 3, 2021, until a date to be determined later under Section 29AA (2) of the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 20011.
