Govt-owned land turned into illegal dumpsite in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Domestic waste made up of mostly plastic was found illegally disposed near an apartment in Gelugor here.

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Urban Services Department director Mubarak Junus said his department received an open burning complaint from residents at the Desa Indah Permai apartment on April 2.

“A site investigation was carried out and it was found that waste was illegally disposed at Lot 10234, Mukim 13 Bandar Gelugor, which is a government-owned land.

“Most of what was dumped was domestic and bulk waste. A vehicle was spotted dumping rubbish on this plot of land,” he said when met at the illegal dumpsite yesterday.

Mubarak added that control and enforcement action had been taken.

“The land owner was officially notified to take the necessary steps to control and stop the practice.

“The council has placed an officer to monitor the entrance for vehicles carrying waste products here.

“A notice for causing nuisance which falls under Section 82 of the Local Government Act 1976 has been issued to the owner of the vehicle, who has to remove and transfer the illegal waste to a disposal site approved by the council,” he said.

He added that a police report was made so that action will be taken against the offender under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 and Road Traffic Rules 1959.

“The council will also refer the issue to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to take action,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mubarak urged rubbish collectors to dispose waste material in the disposal area approved by the city council.

“Domestic, bulk and agriculture waste can be disposed at the Pulau Burong landfill or the Batu Maung solid waste transfer station whereas construction waste except marine clay can be disposed at the Jelutong landfill,” he said.

Earlier, state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said a task force has been set up to go after illegal dumping syndicates in the state, adding that the latest discovery was an illegal dumping site in Sungai Nibong.

“It is a local syndicate and we have taken statements from a few parties we suspect are involved,” he said during a press conference after the No Single-Use Plastic dialogue in Komtar here yesterday.

Phee said they would leave it to the local council to proceed with the appropriate action against those involved in the syndicate.

He also disclosed that there have been containers containing damaged goods illegally dumped in Penang recently.

“The task force is currently investigating it. We know which country and factory the waste was from but it is still under investigation.

“Once statements are taken from those involved we will propose to the authority to take legal action,” he said, declining to disclose the location as it was still under investigation.