CHECKING OUT SITUATION: Lee using binoculars for a clearer view of the haze situation from the watch tower in Tudan yesterday. Also seen are (from left) Siva of DOE, Lai and Kahti.
MIRI: The haze here is improving with no hot spots or open burning reported as of yesterday, assured the Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
He attributed this to the fine weather albeit hazy and humid weather due to the dry season.
Besides, the tube wells had been activated to pump water up to the highest level so as to reduce the density of haze.
“We need to maintain the water level in the event of any fire outbreak, we still have strong water pressure to put out fires,” Lee told reporters during a visit to the watch tower in Tudan yesterday.
Joining Lee were Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis, Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai and Department of Environment Miri branch chief S Sivanathiran and representatives from the relevant departments.
Lee said the Rela team had been deployed at the Watch Tower to monitor the situation of the surroundings. The members work on two shifts — day time and night.
“They will keep watch and alert the fire authority immediately of any fire outbreak,” he added.
Apart from Rela, there are the National Resource and Environment Board (NREB), Department of Civil Defence, Malaysia and the Fire and Rescue Services Department (Bomba) which also set up patrol teams to monitor in and around Miri.
“This is a precautionary step as we need to be constantly alert to control the haze situation where we could,” Lee said.
The NREB meanwhile had enforced prohibition on open burnings until further notice and the dry period is over.
In this context, Lee who is Senadin assemblyman, called on public cooperation to inform the Bomba if they come across any open burning or bush fire, at 085-422973 or 999.