SIBU: Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) is still giving out open burning permit, but on a case-by-case basis depending on the weather forecast.
This was disclosed by NREB controller Peter Sawal.
He was asked yesterday if the board had stopped the issuance of open permit in view of the prevailing dry weather.
NOAA satellite on May 6 detected three hotspots in Kalimantan.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has cautioned the public not to conduct open burning during the current hot spell, which has hit several areas in the country.
Open burning without permit from NREB in the state is an offence.
Pursuant to the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance (NREO), 1993:
Section 30(1)(a) — Any person who carries out or causes or permits to be carried out open burning of refuse or other combustible materials on any land without written permission of the Controller shall be guilty of an offence:
Penalty — A fine of twenty thousand ringgit (RM20,000) and imprisonment for three (3) years.
Section 30(2) — Any person who, without the written permission of the Controller, cuts, destroys and burns vegetation in any area which is not Native Customary Land, shall be guilty of an offence:
Penalty — A fine of thirty thousand ringgit (RM30,000) and imprisonment for three (3) years.
Written applications have to be made to the NREB using Open Burning Permit Application Form obtainable from all NREB offices and their website. Issuance of permit will be suspended during the dry season to avoid occurrence of haze.