‘Be extra alert during dry season’

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Uggah speaks to reporters at the Indian Multi-Faith Community Centre in Miri.

MIRI: All agencies across all divisional level have been called upon to prepare for the dry season, which is expected to commence this month.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who chairs the State Disaster Management Committee, says it is crucial that all agencies work together to overcome the problem of open burning, involving bushfires and peats soil fires that often occur during the dry season.

“Sarawak is expecting the dry season this month and early preparation is essential to avoid serious haze problems.

“I have instructed the agencies concerned to take special precautions, especially in Miri because fires often occur here during the dry season and drought,” he told reporters when met after presenting a cheque to the Indian Multi-Faith Community Centre here yesterday.

On the haze caused by fires in Sumatera and Kalimantan, Uggah said a meeting would be held next week to get the latest update on the problem. Sarawak is affected by the impact of widespread peat fires in the neighbouring country.

“That is why I am calling a meeting next week to discuss how to face the haze problems,” added Uggah.