BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Penang government has been urged to take immediate action against those who had illegally dumped solid waste near Kampung Berangan Sembilan, Bukit Teh here.
Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee Khai Loon said immediate action was necessary to prevent the problem from escalating to a critical level.
Lee said he had received several complaints in the past three years on several unidentified individuals dumping solid waste on an empty field, which was previously marshland.
“We had asked the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) to install a closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) but the area is so remote and lacks connectivity.
“I also raised the problem during the previous state legislative assembly sitting and several actions, including regular patrolling of the area, was carried out.
“To date, we have yet to catch anyone involved with the illegal dumping,” he said, adding that the culprits were believed to have been operating during weekdays and at nights.
Lee was speaking to reporters during a visit to the illegal dumpsite.
Checks showed that the solid waste, tied in white plastic bags, were piled high and filled the two-hectare field.
The foul smelling dumpsite, surrounded by palm oil estates and a chicken farm, is located about 100 meters away from Bukit Teh, where toxic waste was illegally dumped recently.
During the site visit, MPSP issued a notice to the landowner to stop all illegal dumping in the state and for allowing the land to be turned into a illegal dumpsite.
Lee said although the land was far away from any residential areas, it was nevertheless important that the authorities take immediate action.
“The state government and its agencies must carry out an investigation to flush out the culprits as well as clean up this area.
“They must come up with ways to prevent further illegal dumping at the site,” Lee added.
Lee said one of the suggestions was to build a guard house at the entrance of the area to prevent lorries carrying solid waste from entering the area.
“We do not know what kind of solid waste is being dumped here but it’s clear from the plastic bags that most of the waste here is from China.
“We are afraid that they could be dumping chemical waste,” he said.
An employee of the nearby chicken farm, Goh Sing Huat, 61, said he had complained about the illegal dumpsite because he could not put up with the bad smell from the site and was worried that it would affect his health.
“I have been working in this area for 30 years. This is a recent problem.
“I cannot stand seeing this field turned into a dumpsite. The smell is so bad that I get dizzy at times,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government would not hesitate to take stern enforcement action against recycling centres or dumping sites that do not follow the law.
Chow said his government has been monitoring the matter of illegal dumpsites very closely and the local councils were on site to check if there were any violation of the law.
“We will get State Environment Executive Councillor Phee Boon Poh to issue a full statement as he is keeping tabs on the matter,” he told a press conference.
Chow said while genuine recyclers were welcome, they must also follow the law or risk being shut down.
He said previous attempts by local council to shut certain dumpsites or recycling centres had been met with legal suits, with the operators suing councils claiming they had no jurisdiction.