SEPANG, Nov 1 — Local authorities in Selangor have the power to take firm action against any party involved in open burning, said the state executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
She said enforcement can be carried out under the Environmental Quality (Delegation of Powers to Government Department, Local Authority and Corporation) Order 2025, which was gazetted on July 7.
“Through this gazettement, local authorities are empowered to take legal action under subsection 29A(5) of the Environmental Quality Act.
“Therefore, I urge all local councils to take appropriate legal action against perpetrators of open burning to curb haze and air pollution,” she said at the Selangor Environment Day 2025 celebration here today.
Selangor has 12 local authorities, comprising four city councils, seven municipal councils, and one district council.
Jamaliah said a total of 1,992 complaints related to open burning were recorded in the state throughout 2024.
“For the period of January to May 2025, there were 772 reported cases, with 60 per cent arising from small waste burning and activities within residential areas.
“If not controlled, open burning can contribute to haze and local air pollution."
She also noted that Selangor has 173,198 hectares of peatland, covering forest reserves and agricultural areas in Kuala Langat, Klang, and Kuala Selangor.
“These areas are crucial and must be protected for ecosystem stability and global climate balance,” she said.
