Articles extracted from New Straits Times, 3rd August 2008
Owners and residents of Prima Bayu Apartments in Bayu Perdana here took charge and formed a joint management body to address problems on maintenance following the developer's failure to respond to the set up.
Residents' Association chairman P. R. Rajah said the body had to be formed, although under the law the management body should comprise the developer and residents. He said a letter was sent to the developer urging it to set up the management body, but there was no response." Following which residents lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Buildings, which is under the Klang Municipal Council."
The council appointed an agent to help us form the joint management body which was supposed to comprise the residents and the developer. But the developer did not turn up." This is the first meeting where an agent has been appointed to help us form the body," he said at the meeting recently.
In the absence of developer Palm Grove Sdn. Bhd, the meeting was conducted by Peter Chong, the agent appointed by the council. Rajah was elected as chairman of the joint management body, Albert Yeow as deputy chairman, V. Gunaseelan as secretary and V. Kalaisilvan as treasurer.
Prima Bayu comprises 672 apartments with 3,000 residents. Not all are owners, some companies have rented the flats to house their workers. Rajah said the residents have had various problems especially on maintenance and security. Klang MP Charles Santiago, who was present at the meeting, advised developers in Klang to work closely with residents to work out complaints and problems."
Many complaints from residents of apartments have been about the lack of maintenance and the developers' lackadaisical attitude."
Showing posts with label Smoke and Haze. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smoke and Haze. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Join Us - Open Burning at Kampung Johan Setia
A meeting has been called by the State Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Commitee Chairman YB Elizabeth Wong to discuss the progress of open burning issue at Kampung Johan
Setia. We need some concerned residents who are able to make it tomorrow, 6th October, at 10am - to join.
Invitations were out for all the press. There will be representatives from Putra Heights, Kota Kemuning, Bukit Rimau, Bandar Putri etc.
You can find more information here: Smokechaser's Weblog: http://smokechaser.wordpress.com/
A big thank you to Smokechaser for the heads up and invitation.
Venue: Meeting Room, Majlis Perbandaran Klang, Bangunan Sultan Alam Shah, Jalan Perbandaran, 41675 Klang Bandar Diraja, Selangor.
Date: 6 October 2008, Monday
Time: 10am-11am
Tel: 03-3371 6044 / Hotline : 03-3371 4404 / Fax: 03-3372 0344
Setia. We need some concerned residents who are able to make it tomorrow, 6th October, at 10am - to join.
Invitations were out for all the press. There will be representatives from Putra Heights, Kota Kemuning, Bukit Rimau, Bandar Putri etc.
You can find more information here: Smokechaser's Weblog: http://smokechaser.wordpress.com/
A big thank you to Smokechaser for the heads up and invitation.
Venue: Meeting Room, Majlis Perbandaran Klang, Bangunan Sultan Alam Shah, Jalan Perbandaran, 41675 Klang Bandar Diraja, Selangor.
Date: 6 October 2008, Monday
Time: 10am-11am
Tel: 03-3371 6044 / Hotline : 03-3371 4404 / Fax: 03-3372 0344
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Haze: Peat fire was no accident, says DOE
Haze: Peat fire was no accident, says DOE
By Hilary Chiew, The Star, Sunday August 3, 2008
Fires along a 3km stretch of peat swamp along the Elite highway between Shah Alam and the KL International Airport were deliberately set to clear the land for agriculture, said the Department of Environment (DOE).
Selangor director Che Asmah Ibrahim said the enforcement team that had gone there after receiving the first complaint on July 9 had recorded three incidents of open burning, the last on Aug 1.
“We investigated based on the fresh complaints and it is clear the fires were started to clear land for planting. On all three occasions, the fire was ignited in three different locations.
“The development is a joint venture between Pertubuhan Peladang Negeri Selangor and Salak Park Sdn Bhd. We had contacted the developer but he refused to come and talk to us.
"We've asked him to come to our office on Monday so that we can record his statement,” said Che Asmah who inspected the site on Sunday as 120 firemen took up position to douse the sporadic fire.
Open burning is an offence under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and carries a maximum fine of RM500,000 or a five-year jail term, or both.
Che Asmah said the DOE had previously rejected the Environment Impact Assessment report of the developer for a mixed development project on the ecologically sensitive area. Subsequently, the developer changed the plan to agriculture, which does not require an EIA study for development areas below 500ha.
It is learnt that the total land size owned by the joint venture project is 658ha and it is sandwiched between the North Kuala Langat Forest Reserve and the Paya Indah Wetlands Sanctuary.
Asst Comm Abdul Razak Muda of the state Fire and Rescue Department said operations would focus on six main areas where the fire has spread, adding that visibility in the vicinity had been reduced to 0.5km.
Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish said there was a high risk of more fires as most of the vegetation was cleared and the water level had dropped below the recommended 40cm for peat swamp.
Images obtained by Faizal showed that the area was logged last year and the peat soil had already degraded. The latest development will only lead to peat fires that could spread to the North Kuala Langat Forest Reserve.
By Hilary Chiew, The Star, Sunday August 3, 2008
Fires along a 3km stretch of peat swamp along the Elite highway between Shah Alam and the KL International Airport were deliberately set to clear the land for agriculture, said the Department of Environment (DOE).
Selangor director Che Asmah Ibrahim said the enforcement team that had gone there after receiving the first complaint on July 9 had recorded three incidents of open burning, the last on Aug 1.
“We investigated based on the fresh complaints and it is clear the fires were started to clear land for planting. On all three occasions, the fire was ignited in three different locations.
“The development is a joint venture between Pertubuhan Peladang Negeri Selangor and Salak Park Sdn Bhd. We had contacted the developer but he refused to come and talk to us.
"We've asked him to come to our office on Monday so that we can record his statement,” said Che Asmah who inspected the site on Sunday as 120 firemen took up position to douse the sporadic fire.
Open burning is an offence under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and carries a maximum fine of RM500,000 or a five-year jail term, or both.
Che Asmah said the DOE had previously rejected the Environment Impact Assessment report of the developer for a mixed development project on the ecologically sensitive area. Subsequently, the developer changed the plan to agriculture, which does not require an EIA study for development areas below 500ha.
It is learnt that the total land size owned by the joint venture project is 658ha and it is sandwiched between the North Kuala Langat Forest Reserve and the Paya Indah Wetlands Sanctuary.
Asst Comm Abdul Razak Muda of the state Fire and Rescue Department said operations would focus on six main areas where the fire has spread, adding that visibility in the vicinity had been reduced to 0.5km.
Global Environment Centre director Faizal Parish said there was a high risk of more fires as most of the vegetation was cleared and the water level had dropped below the recommended 40cm for peat swamp.
Images obtained by Faizal showed that the area was logged last year and the peat soil had already degraded. The latest development will only lead to peat fires that could spread to the North Kuala Langat Forest Reserve.
531 hotspots in Sumatra, 40ha burning in Dengkil
More haze, more threat to our health ..... Be prepared, venture less outside especially to those with breathing problems. Use your treadmill instead of the evening/morning jog. It gets worse especially towards the night.
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531 hotspots in Sumatra, 40ha burning in Dengkil
By V.P. Sujata and Royce Cheah, The Star, 3rd August 2008
It's that time of the year again. It's the dry spell, the haze is coming back and the number of hotspots in Sumatra has jumped from 351 to 531 within 24 hours.
To make things worse, a 40ha peat forest in Dengkil has been burning for the last two days. And the weather is expected to stay dry for the next three days.
The Malaysia Meteorological Department said satellite images showed 531 hotspots over Sumatra as at 2.30pm yesterday.
According to the Department of Environment, the intensity of the haze would depend on the wind strength.
For now, Port Klang is the only area with an unhealthy API reading of 104 (a reading of 101 to 200 is considered unhealthy). Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur recorded moderate readings of 57 and 61 respectively.
Haze has been a perennial problem for Malaysia because of slash-and-burn activities practised by farmers in Indonesia.
The fire in Putrajaya could make things worse this year. Over 40ha of agriculture land at the 24th kilometre of the Elite Highway near the KL International Airport has been on fire for the last two days.
Sepang Kuala Langat fire chief Supt Sharikan Bustaman said the fire was burning beneath and above ground and the dry season had made matters worse.
About 70 firemen from nearby stations are fighting to put out the fire at the area, which is part of the Kuala Langat Forest Reserve.
In April, a fire spread over a 12ha site and it took firemen three days to put it out.
Supt Sharikan hoped for rain that would put the fire out completely.
He said farmers clearing agriculture waste could have started the fire that was reported on Friday.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd senior operations general manager Datuk Azmi Murad said the fire had not affected airport operations and visibility was fine, for now.
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531 hotspots in Sumatra, 40ha burning in Dengkil
By V.P. Sujata and Royce Cheah, The Star, 3rd August 2008
It's that time of the year again. It's the dry spell, the haze is coming back and the number of hotspots in Sumatra has jumped from 351 to 531 within 24 hours.
To make things worse, a 40ha peat forest in Dengkil has been burning for the last two days. And the weather is expected to stay dry for the next three days.
The Malaysia Meteorological Department said satellite images showed 531 hotspots over Sumatra as at 2.30pm yesterday.
According to the Department of Environment, the intensity of the haze would depend on the wind strength.
For now, Port Klang is the only area with an unhealthy API reading of 104 (a reading of 101 to 200 is considered unhealthy). Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur recorded moderate readings of 57 and 61 respectively.
Haze has been a perennial problem for Malaysia because of slash-and-burn activities practised by farmers in Indonesia.
The fire in Putrajaya could make things worse this year. Over 40ha of agriculture land at the 24th kilometre of the Elite Highway near the KL International Airport has been on fire for the last two days.
Sepang Kuala Langat fire chief Supt Sharikan Bustaman said the fire was burning beneath and above ground and the dry season had made matters worse.
About 70 firemen from nearby stations are fighting to put out the fire at the area, which is part of the Kuala Langat Forest Reserve.
In April, a fire spread over a 12ha site and it took firemen three days to put it out.
Supt Sharikan hoped for rain that would put the fire out completely.
He said farmers clearing agriculture waste could have started the fire that was reported on Friday.
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd senior operations general manager Datuk Azmi Murad said the fire had not affected airport operations and visibility was fine, for now.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Foul Smelling Smoke from Illegal Open Burning
Surrounding areas like Putra Heights is also affected by foul smelling smoke from illegal open burning. Seems like our Wakil Rakyat is aware and doing something to help ... there has been much more issues and much more often that these issues were being highlighted in the news.
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Hot issue for Putra Heights folks
By Lim Chia Ying, The Star, 26th June 2008
FOR the past six years, residents of Bukit Lanchong, a neighbourhood at Putra Heights, have had to put up with foul smelling smoke from illegal open burning.
Many have got so used to the whiff that they brush it off as nothing, or just simply think that it is peat haze blowing in from neighbouring Indonesia.
Putra Heights resident Ericson Fernandez did not know how serious the open burning was until he noticed his two-year-old daughter coughing continuously and she has since been put on an inhaler.
Curious about where the smell came from, Ericson stumbled across an illegal dump site that he claimed has become a site for burning manufacturing and industrial waste.
“There was a bad stench coming from the ground. Every week there would be at least three periods of open burning, but it had slowed down in the past three weeks after it generated some interest with the authorities,” he said.
“The burning hours have also changed. It usually starts at around 11pm until about 2am to 3am, at a time when people are already sleeping so they would not notice anything.
“When morning arrives, our houses will be enveloped by a thick layer of man-made fog,” Ericson explained.
Another resident Teh Yee Wen has been following the case since moving to Putra Heights about two years ago.
“My nose is sensitive. I would bleed when the smoke gets overwhelming and it can even cause grogginess,” said Tee, who also had signatures from over hundred of residents protesting the open burning.
Other than Bukit Lanchong, another site previously threatened by similar open burning was Kampung Johan Setia along the Kesas Highway.
Chui Wing Hoe from Bandar Puteri Klang said the smoke could even be smelt from as far as his house when the burning takes place.
“Depending on the wind direction, the smoke can come up to our place and also Kota Kemuning and USJ. Although there is few cases of open burning now, there is still no permanent solution.
“We don’t know when it will come back,” Chui said.
While Bukit Lanchong reeks with the burning stench from an illegal dumpsite, it has been confirmed that the burning sites at Kampung Johan Setia were farmand that had been abandoned by the landowners and taken over by illegal immigrants.
Ericson wants to know why air pollutant index (API) readings are only conducted in the mornings and evenings when the real burning happens at night.
“Right now, I don’t think I’ll ever put this issue to rest as no long-term solution has been worked out. I’ve been exchanging numerous emails with our Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud who has been empathetic and even brought up the matter in Parliament,” Ericson said.
Dr Siti Mariah said the Department of Environment (DoE), the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), and the Petaling District Land Office were aware of the issue.
“I’m not sure at what stage it is at now as I’ve not met up with the DoE on this. However, I understand that these culprits dig very big holes in the ground to do the burning inside, after which the holes are quickly covered up.
“The DoE will have to catch these culprits red-handed,” she said.
Dr Siti Mariah also said the authorities were left with one alternative to solve the problem at Kampung Johan Setia, which was to issue summonses to the landowners who didn’t take care of their land.
“However, the problem now lies in identifying the landowners, which can be difficult as there are no marking on the borders of the land.”
She said while the onus is on the Land Office, any action would have to be coordinated at the state level which falls under the portfolio of State Environmental Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong.
“One department cannot ask another to do something without an order from the state. We need a coordination,” she said.
Selangor DoE director Che Asmah Ibrahim said landowners had been identified for some of the illegal burning sites at Bukit Lanchong and two court cases are being prepared.
She claimed that there was no more open burning at Kampung Johan Setia except when there is a dry spell.
“However, we are continuing to monitor it. Several steps have been taken so far, like getting the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to deepen a drain to contain water to put out fires as a temporary measure.
“Water sources were not easily available previously, making it difficult for firemen to battle the blazes,” Che Asmah said.
She added that the state government had commissioned a study on the appropriate land use for the area.
“We have a list of over 1,500 owners but no markings have been made to show which plot of land is whose. Illegal immigrants have also taken over the abandoned land and they can only be caught while in action of lighting a fire.
“We have engaged the Global Environmental Centre (GEC) to carry out a study on suitability of soil use, which should be ready by mid-July. The GEC has been involved in a lot of big study cases in many areas in this region including Indonesia,” she said.
Wong, who admitted she has yet to visit Bukit Lanchong, confirmed that the DoE has indeed filed two investigation cases on two landowners for allowing open burning.
“Since it’s private land, there’s no way for us to cordon it off. The place is quite big, but only two lots are used for the open burning.
“Ideally, the landowners should be more responsible. However, we have a lot of witnesses so we trust the owners will appear in court,” Wong said.
She said the two lots could be confiscated as a last resort.
MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan claimed he was not aware of the matter, but urged the public to give him information on the site and he would then take immediate action.
“If it’s an illegal dumping site, then we will have to take action and issue compounds. If it happens to be one of our contractors, we will terminate the contract immediately.
“This is an issue I will not tolerate and will not hesitate to go all out to nab the culprits,” he said.
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Hot issue for Putra Heights folks
By Lim Chia Ying, The Star, 26th June 2008
FOR the past six years, residents of Bukit Lanchong, a neighbourhood at Putra Heights, have had to put up with foul smelling smoke from illegal open burning.
Many have got so used to the whiff that they brush it off as nothing, or just simply think that it is peat haze blowing in from neighbouring Indonesia.
Putra Heights resident Ericson Fernandez did not know how serious the open burning was until he noticed his two-year-old daughter coughing continuously and she has since been put on an inhaler.
Curious about where the smell came from, Ericson stumbled across an illegal dump site that he claimed has become a site for burning manufacturing and industrial waste.
“There was a bad stench coming from the ground. Every week there would be at least three periods of open burning, but it had slowed down in the past three weeks after it generated some interest with the authorities,” he said.
“The burning hours have also changed. It usually starts at around 11pm until about 2am to 3am, at a time when people are already sleeping so they would not notice anything.
“When morning arrives, our houses will be enveloped by a thick layer of man-made fog,” Ericson explained.
Another resident Teh Yee Wen has been following the case since moving to Putra Heights about two years ago.
“My nose is sensitive. I would bleed when the smoke gets overwhelming and it can even cause grogginess,” said Tee, who also had signatures from over hundred of residents protesting the open burning.
Other than Bukit Lanchong, another site previously threatened by similar open burning was Kampung Johan Setia along the Kesas Highway.
Chui Wing Hoe from Bandar Puteri Klang said the smoke could even be smelt from as far as his house when the burning takes place.
“Depending on the wind direction, the smoke can come up to our place and also Kota Kemuning and USJ. Although there is few cases of open burning now, there is still no permanent solution.
“We don’t know when it will come back,” Chui said.
While Bukit Lanchong reeks with the burning stench from an illegal dumpsite, it has been confirmed that the burning sites at Kampung Johan Setia were farmand that had been abandoned by the landowners and taken over by illegal immigrants.
Ericson wants to know why air pollutant index (API) readings are only conducted in the mornings and evenings when the real burning happens at night.
“Right now, I don’t think I’ll ever put this issue to rest as no long-term solution has been worked out. I’ve been exchanging numerous emails with our Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud who has been empathetic and even brought up the matter in Parliament,” Ericson said.
Dr Siti Mariah said the Department of Environment (DoE), the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), and the Petaling District Land Office were aware of the issue.
“I’m not sure at what stage it is at now as I’ve not met up with the DoE on this. However, I understand that these culprits dig very big holes in the ground to do the burning inside, after which the holes are quickly covered up.
“The DoE will have to catch these culprits red-handed,” she said.
Dr Siti Mariah also said the authorities were left with one alternative to solve the problem at Kampung Johan Setia, which was to issue summonses to the landowners who didn’t take care of their land.
“However, the problem now lies in identifying the landowners, which can be difficult as there are no marking on the borders of the land.”
She said while the onus is on the Land Office, any action would have to be coordinated at the state level which falls under the portfolio of State Environmental Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong.
“One department cannot ask another to do something without an order from the state. We need a coordination,” she said.
Selangor DoE director Che Asmah Ibrahim said landowners had been identified for some of the illegal burning sites at Bukit Lanchong and two court cases are being prepared.
She claimed that there was no more open burning at Kampung Johan Setia except when there is a dry spell.
“However, we are continuing to monitor it. Several steps have been taken so far, like getting the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to deepen a drain to contain water to put out fires as a temporary measure.
“Water sources were not easily available previously, making it difficult for firemen to battle the blazes,” Che Asmah said.
She added that the state government had commissioned a study on the appropriate land use for the area.
“We have a list of over 1,500 owners but no markings have been made to show which plot of land is whose. Illegal immigrants have also taken over the abandoned land and they can only be caught while in action of lighting a fire.
“We have engaged the Global Environmental Centre (GEC) to carry out a study on suitability of soil use, which should be ready by mid-July. The GEC has been involved in a lot of big study cases in many areas in this region including Indonesia,” she said.
Wong, who admitted she has yet to visit Bukit Lanchong, confirmed that the DoE has indeed filed two investigation cases on two landowners for allowing open burning.
“Since it’s private land, there’s no way for us to cordon it off. The place is quite big, but only two lots are used for the open burning.
“Ideally, the landowners should be more responsible. However, we have a lot of witnesses so we trust the owners will appear in court,” Wong said.
She said the two lots could be confiscated as a last resort.
MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan claimed he was not aware of the matter, but urged the public to give him information on the site and he would then take immediate action.
“If it’s an illegal dumping site, then we will have to take action and issue compounds. If it happens to be one of our contractors, we will terminate the contract immediately.
“This is an issue I will not tolerate and will not hesitate to go all out to nab the culprits,” he said.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Opening Burning ... Pollution ... Solution, Finally and Hopefully
Some actions are being taken by our wakil rakyats to help curb the opening burnings which has become rampant and causing health problems to many. Click here, for previous write-ups on haze and smoke.
From The Star, Metro Section (6th June 2008):
Landowners at Kampung Johan Setia will face court action or have their land titles revoked by the Selangor state government if they fail to take care of the land and avoid open burning.
State tourism, consumer affairs and environment committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said the government had identified 1,512 landowners holding Temporary Occupancy Licences (TOL) on 1,183ha of agricultural land nearby.
“The land was awarded in good faith, unfortunately, they did not take good care of it, left it abandoned and allowed it to be taken over by trespassers who caused the open burning.
“We want all the land owners to be responsible and the state government will not hesitate to take back the titles if they fail to take care of the land,” she said after visiting some of the open burning sites.
Department of Environment director Che Asmah Ibrahim, Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Maria Mahmud and representatives from various agencies including Rela, the Fire and Rescue Services Department, the Land Office and the Drainage and Irrigation Department were also present.
Wong said the government had ordered the Land Office to conduct a detailed survey to identify the boundaries of each plot of land.
“The government has tried to bring some of the land owners to court for causing open burning but the cases were struck out because the authorities failed to prove the exact boundaries of the land where the fires occurred,” she said.
Wong added that the detailed survey by the Land Office would assist in legal issues.
Wong said many landowners left their land idle, giving an opportunity for trespassers to clear the land and hire illegal immigrants to carry out farming.
“We realise that going after the illegal immigrants will not serve as a long-term solution and we have to get to the root of the problem,” she said.
The trespassers started fires to clear the land and the smouldering peat soil usually released thick smoke and haze that, since the late 1990s, had engulfed surrounding areas including Shah Alam, Klang and Kuala Langat where more than 200,000 people were affected.
Wong also said the state government had appointed an experienced consultant, Global Environment Centre, to work with the related government agencies to find effective ways to prevent open burning.
She added that the immediate steps taken so far were damming part of a nearby river to raise water level at the peat area, building more dams at critical dry areas and diverting water from adjacent rivers to the peat areas.
From The Star, Metro Section (6th June 2008):
Landowners at Kampung Johan Setia will face court action or have their land titles revoked by the Selangor state government if they fail to take care of the land and avoid open burning.
State tourism, consumer affairs and environment committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said the government had identified 1,512 landowners holding Temporary Occupancy Licences (TOL) on 1,183ha of agricultural land nearby.
“The land was awarded in good faith, unfortunately, they did not take good care of it, left it abandoned and allowed it to be taken over by trespassers who caused the open burning.
“We want all the land owners to be responsible and the state government will not hesitate to take back the titles if they fail to take care of the land,” she said after visiting some of the open burning sites.
Department of Environment director Che Asmah Ibrahim, Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Maria Mahmud and representatives from various agencies including Rela, the Fire and Rescue Services Department, the Land Office and the Drainage and Irrigation Department were also present.
Wong said the government had ordered the Land Office to conduct a detailed survey to identify the boundaries of each plot of land.
“The government has tried to bring some of the land owners to court for causing open burning but the cases were struck out because the authorities failed to prove the exact boundaries of the land where the fires occurred,” she said.
Wong added that the detailed survey by the Land Office would assist in legal issues.
Wong said many landowners left their land idle, giving an opportunity for trespassers to clear the land and hire illegal immigrants to carry out farming.
“We realise that going after the illegal immigrants will not serve as a long-term solution and we have to get to the root of the problem,” she said.
The trespassers started fires to clear the land and the smouldering peat soil usually released thick smoke and haze that, since the late 1990s, had engulfed surrounding areas including Shah Alam, Klang and Kuala Langat where more than 200,000 people were affected.
Wong also said the state government had appointed an experienced consultant, Global Environment Centre, to work with the related government agencies to find effective ways to prevent open burning.
She added that the immediate steps taken so far were damming part of a nearby river to raise water level at the peat area, building more dams at critical dry areas and diverting water from adjacent rivers to the peat areas.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Environmental Pollution Hotline
Complaints pertaining to the environmental pollution can be made through 03-8889-1972 or JAS LINE :1-800-88-2727. DOE's HQ Control Room in Putrajaya operates 24 hours.
Read here for the rest of the environmental pollution affecting Kota Kemuning.
Read here for the rest of the environmental pollution affecting Kota Kemuning.
Get set for hazy skies again
From The Star, 19 May 2008:
Malaysia's annual problem of dry weather and hazy skies look to be here again. A check with the Malaysian Meteorological Services Department revealed 207 hotspots in Sumatra on Sunday, a drop from Saturday's 372 hotspots in that area. Peninsular Malaysia had four hotspots, while Borneo had 52.
A spokesman on Sunday said that Malaysians could expect dry weather over the next few days.
“With the current southwest monsoon, it is quite normal to have dry weather,” he said.
“This weather pattern is generally expected to last until September, especially in the Peninsular and Sarawak.”
Sabah might have wetter weather, as there are tropical storms over the Pacific region.
The dry weather, coupled with the large number of hotspots in Sumatra, could cause the haze here.
“The hazy conditions, of course, also depend on the number of hotspots, but it is hard to say what exactly causes the hotspots. Some are natural,” he said.
According to the Department of Environment website, www.doe.gov.my, the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings showed Port Klang's reading was 100 at about 8pm Sunday.
Other areas with relatively high readings were Taiping (71), Muar (68), Kuala Terengganu (67), Kuala Selangor (63), Ipoh (62), Putrajaya (59), Prai (58) and Kuala Lumpur (55). API readings of 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and above 300 is hazardous.
The spokesman said visibility was still good ranging between 7km and 9km.
Malaysia's annual problem of dry weather and hazy skies look to be here again. A check with the Malaysian Meteorological Services Department revealed 207 hotspots in Sumatra on Sunday, a drop from Saturday's 372 hotspots in that area. Peninsular Malaysia had four hotspots, while Borneo had 52.
A spokesman on Sunday said that Malaysians could expect dry weather over the next few days.
“With the current southwest monsoon, it is quite normal to have dry weather,” he said.
“This weather pattern is generally expected to last until September, especially in the Peninsular and Sarawak.”
Sabah might have wetter weather, as there are tropical storms over the Pacific region.
The dry weather, coupled with the large number of hotspots in Sumatra, could cause the haze here.
“The hazy conditions, of course, also depend on the number of hotspots, but it is hard to say what exactly causes the hotspots. Some are natural,” he said.
According to the Department of Environment website, www.doe.gov.my, the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings showed Port Klang's reading was 100 at about 8pm Sunday.
Other areas with relatively high readings were Taiping (71), Muar (68), Kuala Terengganu (67), Kuala Selangor (63), Ipoh (62), Putrajaya (59), Prai (58) and Kuala Lumpur (55). API readings of 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy and above 300 is hazardous.
The spokesman said visibility was still good ranging between 7km and 9km.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Smoky and Hazy Days ... Again
The smoky and hazy days are here again (sigh!!!!). We blogged about it sometime back in February 2008, see here.
So dear residents, help buzz the Jabatan Alam Sekitar Negeri Selangor (03-5521-4000) and Department of EnvironmentMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (03-88891972) and let them know our "pains". Susah mahu tahan lah!!!
So dear residents, help buzz the Jabatan Alam Sekitar Negeri Selangor (03-5521-4000) and Department of EnvironmentMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (03-88891972) and let them know our "pains". Susah mahu tahan lah!!!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Who You Gonna Call When The Air Gets Smoky?
You can help do your part by calling them when our air gets smoky or when you see any open burning:
Jabatan Alam Sekitar Negeri Selangor
Tingkat 12-14, Wisma SunwayMas,
Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah C9/C,
Seksyen 9, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Tel: 03-5521-4000
Fax: 03-5519-4788
Department of EnvironmentMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment
Complaints Line: 03-88891972
Jabatan Alam Sekitar Negeri Selangor
Tingkat 12-14, Wisma SunwayMas,
Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah C9/C,
Seksyen 9, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Tel: 03-5521-4000
Fax: 03-5519-4788
Department of EnvironmentMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment
Complaints Line: 03-88891972
Complaints from the Public on Hazy and Smoky Air
Here are two opinions / views from the public which were published by The Star on 19th and 21st February 2008. For those of you who would like to voice your opinions, you can email to editor@thestar.com.my. The email must carry the sender's full name, address and telephone number. A pseudonym may be included.
The Right To Clean Smoke-Free Air (by SAW,Shah Alam, Selangor)
Without fail, from two to three times a year, residents along Kesas Highway between Shah Alam and Klang face smoke from fires in nearby estates and farms. The authority concerned seems to be closing an eye, and both their ears and noses as well. Don't we have the right as citizens and taxpayers for clean, fresh and smoke-free air when we sleep?
Why must we wait for the haze to affect Putrajaya before the authorities send a few ministries to Indonesia for a chat? It's our farmers/landowners who are responsible for this yearly “season”.
Do Something About Open Burning (by CPT, Shah Alam, Selangor)
This is my third letter about the open burning and critical smoke condition in Kota Kemuning and its surrounding areas. Since last week until now, the condition has been very bad. Open burning happens every day, and it seriously affects the quality of air. It’s so bad that I even have sore throat and breathing difficulties. Those who frequent the Kesas Highway will understand what I mean.
A Department of Environment (DOE) staff told me that the burning started seven years ago.
I made numerous calls to the DOE whenever the situation turned unbearable and the answers given were the same: ‘tanah gambut’, hard to track the owners.
To me, those are excuses more than solutions. What amazes me is when the smoke is coming from Indonesia, we quickly send our firemen there. And some ministers will try to impress the people by giving suggestions on how to solve the problem. But when it happens right on our very own shores, nothing seems to be done. When you call the DOE, they give you nothing but excuses.
I truly believe that if the authorities put their hearts into this problem, a permanent solution can be found. I hope the new Cabinet will step in and solve this seven-year old problem.
The Right To Clean Smoke-Free Air (by SAW,Shah Alam, Selangor)
Without fail, from two to three times a year, residents along Kesas Highway between Shah Alam and Klang face smoke from fires in nearby estates and farms. The authority concerned seems to be closing an eye, and both their ears and noses as well. Don't we have the right as citizens and taxpayers for clean, fresh and smoke-free air when we sleep?
Why must we wait for the haze to affect Putrajaya before the authorities send a few ministries to Indonesia for a chat? It's our farmers/landowners who are responsible for this yearly “season”.
Do Something About Open Burning (by CPT, Shah Alam, Selangor)
This is my third letter about the open burning and critical smoke condition in Kota Kemuning and its surrounding areas. Since last week until now, the condition has been very bad. Open burning happens every day, and it seriously affects the quality of air. It’s so bad that I even have sore throat and breathing difficulties. Those who frequent the Kesas Highway will understand what I mean.
A Department of Environment (DOE) staff told me that the burning started seven years ago.
I made numerous calls to the DOE whenever the situation turned unbearable and the answers given were the same: ‘tanah gambut’, hard to track the owners.
To me, those are excuses more than solutions. What amazes me is when the smoke is coming from Indonesia, we quickly send our firemen there. And some ministers will try to impress the people by giving suggestions on how to solve the problem. But when it happens right on our very own shores, nothing seems to be done. When you call the DOE, they give you nothing but excuses.
I truly believe that if the authorities put their hearts into this problem, a permanent solution can be found. I hope the new Cabinet will step in and solve this seven-year old problem.
Smoky and Hazy Days
The smoky and hazy days are here again. We hope they won't stay for long. Today was relatively better compared to the last couple of days. According to reports by The Star on 20th February 2008 and 22nd February 2008, these smoky and hazy udara were the result of open burning by some illegal farmers who were clearing private land and the estate in two areas near Kampung Johan Setia, which is quite near / next to Kota Kemuning. We must "thank" them for their extremely "fresh" @#$% udara!!!
“We have issued two fines of RM2,000 each to the plantation for open burning and also directed the owners to stop the spread of the fires,” said Che Asmah (Selangor Department Of Environment Director). Well, what will RM2,000 do to these folks ... No wonder they stick to this tactic of open burning. After all, we are very sure it will take more than RM2,000 to clear the plantation if they were to employ pekerja and machineries.
Here are the two featured articles from The Star:
Smoke Smothers Klang Villages by Dharmender Singh (20th Feb 2008)
Open burning in two areas near Kampung Johan Setia here has set off peat fires and caused several areas around Klang to be covered in a cloud of smoke. Kampung Johan Setia resident Mohamad Rahmat, 63, said the village had been engulfed in smoke since late Monday, leaving many villagers suffering from breathing problems.
“My grandson and I both suffer from asthma and we have been having difficulty breathing since last night,” said the roadside corn seller. He said open fires causing the peat to smoulder was an annual occurrence as farmers cleared land to plant pineapples and vegetables in the area.
Selangor Department Of Environment director Che Asmah Ibrahim said the department had been working with the Fire and Rescue Department to bring the fires under control. She said the department could not trace the farmers who had started the fires in Kampung Johan Setia as many of them had cleared private property illegally.
Illegal open burning also set off more fires at the 40ha Meraya Pine plantation near the village.
“We have issued two fines of RM2,000 each to the plantation for open burning and also directed the owners to stop the spread of the fires,” Che Asmah said.
Selangor Multimedia, Environment and New Villages Committee chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng said local farmers and Rela members have been roped in to contain the fires. A spokesman for the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department in Shah Alam said firemen were working round the clock to put out the peat fires, spread across 161ha.
“The actual affected area is less than 3.2ha in Ladang IOI, a palm oil plantation in Kampung Johan Setia, Seri Andalas,” he said.
Smoky Days Are Here Again by Dharmender Singh (22nd Feb 2008)
Firemen working to put out the peat fires near Kampung Johan Setia are facing fresh problems in limited water sources and new fires appearing at a plot next to the Meraya Pines plantation.
Sri Andalas station chief Karim Ayob said his men spent most of Wednesday night battling the fires and had managed to reduce the area that was still smouldering but new fires were appearing about 20m from the original site.
He said about 22 firemen and 12 Rela members plus a number of plantation employees had been working to put out the fires but the task was not easy as it was difficult to reach the bottom of the over one metre deep peat. Firemen are now using three fire engines and six pumps from the department and another three pumps from the owner of the plantation.
“This is a plantation so there are no hydrants here and the two earth drains we have been pumping water from are running low on water due to the dry season,” he told StarMetro when met at the plantation recently.
The Fire and Rescue Services Department has been working for the past several days to put out the peat fires that have left several areas around Klang covered in a cloud of smoke over the last three days. The thick smoke from the fires could be seen covering areas several kilometers away from the source like Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang town, Shah Alam and even the Shah Alam Expressway (SAE). The peat fires were the result of open burning by illegal farmers who were clearing private land and the estate in two areas near Kampung Johan Setia.
Villagers and nearby residents claimed that the fires were an annual inconvenience that often left residents, especially those suffering from breathing problems, feeling ill for weeks afterwards.
Selangor Department Of Environment director Che Asmah Ibrahim said employees from the 40ha Meraya Pines plantation also joined the fire fighting efforts but they were still not able to put out the fires.
She said the thick structure of the peat made it difficult to put out the smouldering fires, which produced thick smoke but the fire had been brought under control.
“We have been able to bring it under control but it will take time to put them out completely.
“We are using all the resources we have,' she said.
On complaints that the smoke got thicker at night, Che Asmah said, affected residents around the area need not fear that people were starting fresh fires at night.
The thicker smoke at night, she said,, was due to atmospheric changes at night that reduced the dispersal of the smoke.
“During the day the heat causes turbulences in the air which helps to disperse the smoke, making it less dense but the cold air at night causes the smoke to hang in the air, thus it appears smokier,” she said.
“We have issued two fines of RM2,000 each to the plantation for open burning and also directed the owners to stop the spread of the fires,” said Che Asmah (Selangor Department Of Environment Director). Well, what will RM2,000 do to these folks ... No wonder they stick to this tactic of open burning. After all, we are very sure it will take more than RM2,000 to clear the plantation if they were to employ pekerja and machineries.
Here are the two featured articles from The Star:
Smoke Smothers Klang Villages by Dharmender Singh (20th Feb 2008)
Open burning in two areas near Kampung Johan Setia here has set off peat fires and caused several areas around Klang to be covered in a cloud of smoke. Kampung Johan Setia resident Mohamad Rahmat, 63, said the village had been engulfed in smoke since late Monday, leaving many villagers suffering from breathing problems.
“My grandson and I both suffer from asthma and we have been having difficulty breathing since last night,” said the roadside corn seller. He said open fires causing the peat to smoulder was an annual occurrence as farmers cleared land to plant pineapples and vegetables in the area.
Selangor Department Of Environment director Che Asmah Ibrahim said the department had been working with the Fire and Rescue Department to bring the fires under control. She said the department could not trace the farmers who had started the fires in Kampung Johan Setia as many of them had cleared private property illegally.
Illegal open burning also set off more fires at the 40ha Meraya Pine plantation near the village.
“We have issued two fines of RM2,000 each to the plantation for open burning and also directed the owners to stop the spread of the fires,” Che Asmah said.
Selangor Multimedia, Environment and New Villages Committee chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng said local farmers and Rela members have been roped in to contain the fires. A spokesman for the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department in Shah Alam said firemen were working round the clock to put out the peat fires, spread across 161ha.
“The actual affected area is less than 3.2ha in Ladang IOI, a palm oil plantation in Kampung Johan Setia, Seri Andalas,” he said.
Smoky Days Are Here Again by Dharmender Singh (22nd Feb 2008)
Firemen working to put out the peat fires near Kampung Johan Setia are facing fresh problems in limited water sources and new fires appearing at a plot next to the Meraya Pines plantation.
Sri Andalas station chief Karim Ayob said his men spent most of Wednesday night battling the fires and had managed to reduce the area that was still smouldering but new fires were appearing about 20m from the original site.
He said about 22 firemen and 12 Rela members plus a number of plantation employees had been working to put out the fires but the task was not easy as it was difficult to reach the bottom of the over one metre deep peat. Firemen are now using three fire engines and six pumps from the department and another three pumps from the owner of the plantation.
“This is a plantation so there are no hydrants here and the two earth drains we have been pumping water from are running low on water due to the dry season,” he told StarMetro when met at the plantation recently.
The Fire and Rescue Services Department has been working for the past several days to put out the peat fires that have left several areas around Klang covered in a cloud of smoke over the last three days. The thick smoke from the fires could be seen covering areas several kilometers away from the source like Bandar Bukit Tinggi, Klang town, Shah Alam and even the Shah Alam Expressway (SAE). The peat fires were the result of open burning by illegal farmers who were clearing private land and the estate in two areas near Kampung Johan Setia.
Villagers and nearby residents claimed that the fires were an annual inconvenience that often left residents, especially those suffering from breathing problems, feeling ill for weeks afterwards.
Selangor Department Of Environment director Che Asmah Ibrahim said employees from the 40ha Meraya Pines plantation also joined the fire fighting efforts but they were still not able to put out the fires.
She said the thick structure of the peat made it difficult to put out the smouldering fires, which produced thick smoke but the fire had been brought under control.
“We have been able to bring it under control but it will take time to put them out completely.
“We are using all the resources we have,' she said.
On complaints that the smoke got thicker at night, Che Asmah said, affected residents around the area need not fear that people were starting fresh fires at night.
The thicker smoke at night, she said,, was due to atmospheric changes at night that reduced the dispersal of the smoke.
“During the day the heat causes turbulences in the air which helps to disperse the smoke, making it less dense but the cold air at night causes the smoke to hang in the air, thus it appears smokier,” she said.
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