Pulau Burung landfill operator to face consequences next week

NIBONG TEBAL – The fate of the operator of the Pulau Burung landfill here, which recently saw massive fire and toxic smoke pollution that affected the district, will be determined after a report is presented to the state by the Seberang Perai City Council.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the performance evaluation report of Syarikat PLB Terang Sdn Bhd will be tabled at the state executive council meeting next week, before a final decision is made.

“The report will outline the proposed measures, particularly on the management of the Pulau Burung landfill, as well as the company’s performance since it was appointed in 2012.

“Consensual issues will be subject to the report, and the state government will make an assessment and decide,” he said at a press conference at the state Information Department’s media centre here today.

Chow gave updates on the status of the Pulau Burung landfill fire, that it is almost 100% extinguished, and follow-up work is being done by the city council.

However, he said the area is still classified as a Level 1 disaster area, and all surrounding residents have to stay in temporary evacuation centres for a few more days.

“We have to wait a few more days until the air quality there improves. We do not want to compromise on the safety of the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state Environment Department director, Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab, said the rains that fell on Penang over the past few days helped reduce the concentration of toxic gas due to the burning on the landfill.

“We will update the data every day, and if the air quality increases, we will make a recommendation to the disaster committee in order to make a decision.”

Last month, The Vibes reported nearly half of the Seberang Prai Selatan district here has been blanketed by a thick plume of smoke due to the Pulau Burung landfill fire that began on 12 January.

The thick smoke originating from the dumpsite can be clearly seen within a radius of 10km, which resulted in air pollution following the hot weather spell that hit Penang recently.

The fire in the Pulau Burung landfill involved an area of ​​11.3ha out of a total area of ​​33.2ha.

This is not the first time the Pulau Burung landfill has caught fire, as fires were also reported in February and July last year.

The fire also forced about 90 families from two villages in nearby areas to be evacuated, besides causing 10 schools to close. – The Vibes, February 5, 2022