NGO urges Johor govt to shut down four-hectare illegal dump immediately
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government has been urged to immediate shut down an illegal dumpsite near the Skudai-Pontian Highway, about 1km away from Ulu Choh Dirt Park.
Persatuan Keadilan Pengguna Malaysia president R. Permal said that they received information on the illegal dumping site following a public tip-off in late December last year and conducted an investigation.
He said they monitored the site and claimed that some of the waste was coming from Kulai.
“The waste dumped here consists of construction waste and domestic waste. This place has been operating for the past seven years on this 10 acre (four-hectare) land,” he said on Thursday (Jan 6).
“Some of this waste is organic waste and when it rains, the wastewater might flow or permeate into the ground or water system, which could lead to health risks.
“Having this illegal dumpsite here is already a health risk, as it has become a breeding ground for disease vectors such as rats and mosquitoes,” he said, adding that the location should be closed down immediately.
Permal also said that he had also informed the Johor Environment Department (DOE), Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), and the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp).
Meanwhile, Johor DOE director Dr Famey Yusoff, said that any municipal solid waste is under the jurisdiction of the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN) and SWCorp.
Johor SWCorp director Cairul Hisham Jalaluddin said investigations found that the illegal dumpsite was active.
“There is one excavator at the location along with three RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) bins that were left behind. There was no one in charge when we conducted our investigations.
“We are currently investigating the land status and our officers from Kulai and Iskandar Puteri will be closely monitoring the area to find evidence and identify the owner and the person conducting this illegal activity,” he said.
He added that the case is being investigated under Section 14 of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation Act 2007for illegal dumping.
MBIP mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said they were investigating the matter together with SWCorp.