Perlis: Perlis recorded 523 open burning cases since January, said State Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Senior Fire Supt I Wan Mohd Hamizi Wan Mohd Zin. Wan Mohd Hamizi highlighted that this figure, based on statistics from the Perlis JBPM Operations Centre (PGO), shows a significant increase compared to March last year, which recorded 162 cases.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, open burning cases involve orchards, plantations, forests, bushes, grass, and rubbish. The increase in these incidents is partly attributed to the current hot weather in Perlis. Authorities are advising the public to refrain from discarding cigarette butts indiscriminately and to maintain cleanliness in their homes and farms.

In addition, the public is urged not to carry out open burning and to report any fire immediately to the 999 hotline. Meanwhile, an update from the Malaysian Meteorological Department's (METMalaysia) official Facebook page indicated that as of 6 am, 16 areas in Peninsular Malaysia are under Level 1 (Alert) hot weather status, including Perlis.