SRDC, relevant agencies to probe illegal dumping of chicken wings
SIBU: The Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) will work with relevant agencies in gathering more information and investigate on the recent massive disposal of chicken wings here to prevent any recurrence in the future.
SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai disclosed this yesterday when asked on the council’s next course of action with regard to the illegal dumping of chicken wings on a site near Quarry Road at Bukit Aup area last week.
The chicken parts were later unearthed and reburied at the Kemuyang landfill here on Friday.
“There is more to the investigation on the illegal dumping of chicken wings. This morning (yesterday) on the papers (The Borneo Post), the statement from NREB (Natural Resources and Environment Board) clearly calls for investigation into identifying the culprit of the illegal dumping.
“So, we let the other agencies do their part under the relevant law. As for SRDC, we will work together with the relevant agencies to gather more information and conduct investigation. This is important to prevent such similar incident from happening again,” Sempurai said.
The statement from NREB said the board would take appropriate action should there be any element of offence with regard to the dumping of goods at a non-designated site.
Assistant Minister for Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil said recently that the act of dumping chicken wings at the site was tantamount to illegal dumping and thus, he said the council could act against those responsible.
On health aspect, the divisional Health Office, together with Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and SRDC had set up four teams to monitor the sale of chicken wings at the local markets following the incident.
On this, Sempurai said: “So far, there has been no finding.”
Separately in Kuching, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC) warned all that stern action would be taken against those selling the rejected chicken wings.
State MDTCC enforcement director Abdul Hafidz A Rahim said the ministry would take action under Section 23 of the Consumer Protection Act against those selling the chicken wings, which were collected from the site (Bukit Aup), to consumers.
According to Abdul Hafidz, Section 23 of the Act prohibits the sale of unsafe goods to consumers, adding that if convicted, the offender could be fined not exceeding RM250,000, or face three years in jail – or both.
Recently, massive volumes of chicken wings were disposed off near Quarry Road at Bukit Aup, which caused villagers in and around the area to rush in and claim the items.