MELAKA – Court action will be taken against four commercial and construction companies for carrying out illegal dumping activities in Melaka throughout this year.
State Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation director Khairuladha Ab Mutalib said investigation papers for the cases are being prepared and would be submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action
He said the four contractor companies would be charged under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672), which provides for fines of between RM10,000 and RM100,000, or imprisonment between six months and five years or both.
“Two days ago, we managed to stop a construction company from dumping construction waste such as wood and brick fragments at the Tenaga Nasional Bhd reserve area near Sg Putat.
“In addition, we have also identified the unlicensed waste collection contractor company appointed by the companies to get rid of their factory waste,” he told reporters after a programme with Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council here today.
Khairuladha said collection of industrial wastes for disposal could only be carried out by licenced contractors appointed by SWCorp and the wastes would be dumped directly to existing landfills.
He said so far, over 100 licenced waste collection contractors have been appointed by SWCorp and this had facilitated monitoring of waste disposal or industrial wastes so that illegal waste disposal activities would be stopped.
In another development, Khairuladha said illegal waste dumping areas in Melaka had been reduced to 37 locations as of yesterday, compared with the 57 locations earlier this year.
“The reduction was due to the various proactive measures taken to curb illegal dumping and rubbish heaps, such as increasing enforcement and monitoring activities, with over 300 notices for offences issued from January to November this year,” he said.
“One of the illegal dumping sites still operating despite cleanup work by SWCorp is at the Krubong industrial area, as this location is hidden and has been a drug haunt.”
In addition, Khairuladha said over 200 campaigns and programmes were organised during the period to increase awareness among schoolchildren and communities on waste management including recycling practices. – Bernama, December 24, 2022
