KLANG, May 9 ― The Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) is prepared to deal with the possible consequences and impact of the hot and dry weather that is expected to continue until August.

Its minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said areas affected by the weather, especially in the northern part of the peninsula are being monitored in terms of possibility of water supply problems, open burning and peat fires.

According to him, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), as the national regulatory body for the water supply and sewerage industry, has held discussions with water operators across the country to ensure sufficient water supply for each state.

"So, SPAN is making sure that we will be able to deal with the situation though the plan is already in place and the water operators are aware,” he told the media after the launch of the Madani Reusable Bag and No Plastic Bag Campaign at 99 Speed Mart, here today.

"The northern region especially, is experiencing dry weather, but this is expected to occur in the entire peninsula as well as Sabah and Sarawak and though it had been raining for the past several weeks in the Klang Valley, we will continue to monitor and follow closely the weather forecast by the Malaysian Meteorological Department,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on members of the public taking water from the ground, he said this must be monitored as the water source may contain high levels of metal substances that can affect health.

Earlier in his speech, Nik Nazmi congratulated the management of 99 Speed Mart for taking the stand not to supply plastic bags to consumers at all its branches and introducing the Madani reusable bag priced at RM2 which can be exchanged if damaged.

He said after the implementation of the No Plastic Bag campaign in all permanent premises, from 2022 to 2025 the campaign would gradually be implemented at other business premises.

He said the campaign, which was the responsibility of the respective state governments, was one of the long-term plans in dealing with the issue of single-use plastic waste pollution in Malaysia.

Among the states that have organised the campaign were Selangor, Penang, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. ― Bernama