GEORGE TOWN – The toxic fumes emanating from the Pulau Burung landfill after the blaze there have spread to the island, fanning calls from the opposition and civil activists pressuring the DAP-led state to resolve the hazard.
Previously, the pungent fumes were mostly in Nibong Tebal on the mainland, where up to 2,000 residents were relocated and 10 schools temporarily closed as the authorities struggled to douse the peat fire.
But yesterday, residents began relaying to The Vibes that they were experiencing an odour described as “burnt batteries” in George Town, Queensbay and Tg Bungah, as the wind patterns changed in line with the monsoon weather.
To complicate matters, the hot weather spell is forecasted to last until March. The landfill is 65km away from the island.
Despite complaints about the fumes, the Air Pollutant Index (API) in Penang reads between 60 and 70 for most localities. Anything below 100 is considered moderate.
Green Hero movement coordinator Calvin Chan said he smelled an odour in Queensbay last night and wondered if it was from the landfill fire.
He said the state government must do whatever is necessary to completely douse the fire while coming up with a long-term solution for landfill management.
He added that Penang must make public the investigation into what had transpired at the Pulau Burung landfill.
Chan suggested that it is time to revive the waste segregation policy that was put on hold when the pandemic started, especially with more masks, containers and plastic items being disposed of.
Meanwhile, social activist Andrew Han said there is a need for the state to first clamp down on the landfill operator for causing a nuisance to the state in the middle of a pandemic.
Then, the state must take the necessary steps to improve its waste management and to at least realise its aim of becoming a zero waste state in line with the Vision 2030 plan, he added.
Penang Parti Bangsa Malaysia chairman Alan Oh lambasted the state government for firstly condoning the lackadaisical attitude of the landfill operator and for allowing the fire to blaze out of control for the past week.
Oh called for stern action against the operator while questioning alleged irregularities in the awarding of open tender to the operator, as the state appeared to be seen as lenient.
Officials fighting the blaze said the fire will continue to rage until more resources arrive to help the firefighters, who are the frontliners battling it daily.
Water bombing was done yesterday by the Fire and Rescue Department, but due to the hot spell, it was unable to fully extinguish the peat fire.
Also, there is now talk about dumping more sand in the site to smother the fire or risk solid waste slipping into the sea around the location.
Environment Department officials and state representatives could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, January 21, 2022
