Malaysia bans open fires

Malaysia has banned most forms of open burning including camp fires and outdoor cooking in a desperate measure to ease the stifling haze blanketing Kuala Lumpur due to smoke from forest fires in Indonesia.

The Government says the ban includes burning of carcasses, solid fuels, plants, camp fires and industrial inflammable gases.

Those engaged in open burning face a maximum fine of 500,000 ringgit ($195,000) and five years' jail.

Officials blame the haze on fires in Sumatra.