GEORGE TOWN – Aside from not renewing PLB Terang Sdn Bhd’s contract to manage the Pulau Burung landfill in Ladang Byram near Nibong Tebal, the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) and the operator must provide an explanation for the recent fires.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the PLB Terang’s contract ends on April 5, and waste management will be handled by MBSP itself.
“All relevant authorities and PLB Terang Sdn Bhd must investigate and reveal to the public the cause of the earlier fires.
“MBSP will handle the waste management at the Pulau Burung landfill until it finds a suitable contractor with the technology to treat the state’s waste at the landfill.”
Chow said the Pulau Burung issue was discussed at length at the state executive meetings in the last two weeks before coming to a decision.
He added that currently the MBSP is laying soil in the landfill as part of its rehabilitation programme.
Chow was at a press conference held at his Komtar office today during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau and the Malaysian Aviation Group.
The fires in the Pulau Burung landfill started on January 11 and burnt down some 4.05ha of the landfill.
The Fire and Rescue Departments from Nibong Tebal, Sg Bakap and Bayan Baru only brought the fire under control after 10 days.
The air pollution that arose from the fires affected areas like Kg Baru Byram, Kg Changkat, Kg Bagan Buaya, Kg Titi Hitam, Kg Pengkalan, Kg Jawi and Taman Perumahan Desa Jawi.
Ten schools located within a 10km radius of the landfill were ordered to close for several days following the drop in air quality.
There were also fires at the same landfill in February and July last year. – The Vibes, February 24, 2022
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