A file photo of the MMEA’s CL-415 aircraft in action.
KUCHING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency’s (MMEA) Bombardier CL-415 aircraft touched down in Kuching earlier today as it prepares to fly water bombing missions to combat hotspots in the state.
MMEA state director First Admiral (Maritime) Robert Teh Geok Chuan in a statement said that the aircraft departed from Miri at 9.15am, and would assist the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) in putting out the peat soil fires in Sri Aman.
He added that the aircraft would only begin fire extinguishing operations after a briefing with Bomba, which would be held at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Unit.
“We have been informed that about 202 hectares of land are on fire, but as of now, only 51 hectares of such fires have been successfully put out,” Teh said.
He added that the operation would continue until all the fires have been successfully extinguished.
Teh also urged members of the public not to carry out open burning to further exacerbate the matter.
As of 1pm, the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading for Sri Aman is very unhealthy, at 234 while Kuching’s air quality is unhealthy at 195.
Other areas that recorded unhealthy readings were Sibu (171), Sarikei (167), Samarahan (183), Miri (132), ILP Miri (123), Samalaju (108), Bintulu (130) and Mukah (145).
Moderate API readings were recorded in SK Kuala Baram (92), Kapit (77) and Limbang (87).