Christina Liew
KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew has advised the general public to be health-conscious and refrain from open burning activities which may be one of the factors that contributed to the prevailing haze in some parts of the state.
She wants the people to exercise caution to prevent the current incidence of bush fires from escalating.
“I was informed that some bushfires could have been caused by the indiscriminate disposal of cigarette butts along roadsides in some areas.
“Do pay heed to the warnings issued by the relevant authorities. Look at the broader picture, and stop burning in the interest of public health,” Liew said in a statement today.
Based on data from the Fire and Rescue Department, Sabah (Bomba), the Minister noted that cumulative figures from January 1 until March 13, 2024 indicated that there were 961 cases of fire outbreaks in six zones covering 25 districts and specific areas throughout Sabah.
“These cases involved bush fires, estate/farm fires, forest fires and peat fires,” she said.
Tuaran in Zone 1 recorded the highest number of cases (271), followed by Kota Belud (136) in Zone 3, Kota Kinabalu (90) in Zone 1, Lintas (75) in Zone 1, and Penampang (60) in Zone 1.
Prominent housing developer Datuk Susan Wong reported that it is hazy in Benoni in Papar. As of March 13, 50 cases of bush fires, forest fires, and estate/farm fires have been recorded in the district (Zone 2).
