GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government will terminate the contract of PLB Terang Sdn Bhd for causing open burning involving an area of 11.3ha at the Pulau Burung landfill.
Sources told The Vibes, the decision was made after a recent state government meeting, following the company’s dismal performance. PLB Terang Sdn Bhd was appointed in 2012.
“However, the state government cannot terminate the company’s contract immediately. According to a review with the law, the state government should provide two years notice to the company, prior to the contract being terminated.
“The period also provides room to the state government to find a replacement for a new and capable company,” he told The Vibes.
It is understood that PLB Terang Sdn Bhd has signed a 21-year contract with the state government.
The company had received several notices from local authorities for not completing the mandatory scheduled work, apart from now being investigated by the Penang Environment Department for open burning.
Earlier this month, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the fate of the Pulau Burung landfill operator will be determined through the presentation of a report by the Seberang Prai City Council and the Local Government Division.
The Vibes has contacted state Housing, Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo for confirmation.
Meanwhile, Penang Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the Pulau Burung landfill is still classified as a Level 1 disaster area.
“Currently, many areas are under control, but we are still using the method of burying the soil in the burned areas.
“Good weather is also very helpful. We hope there will be no more small fires there,” he said.
Last month, The Vibes reported that nearly half of the Seberang Prai Selatan district here was blanketed by a thick plume of smoke due to the Pulau Burung landfill fire, which began on January 12.
The thick smoke originating from the dumpsite can clearly be seen within a radius of 10km, which resulted in air pollution following the hot weather spell that hit Penang recently.
The fire in 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 some 90 families from two nearby villages to evacuate, besides causing 10 schools to close. – The Vibes, February 22, 2022
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