By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, July 31 — The landowner of the illegal waste burning site near Jalan Sijangkang Utama in Kuala Langat has been ordered to clean the area within 120 days starting from July 22 onwards.
State executive councillor for the environment and public health Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the Kuala Langat District and Land Office took stern action by issuing a 7A notice (to rectify the breach of conditions) under Section 128 of the National Land Code, following a visit to the site.
She said the 7A notice was issued due to a breach of conditions by the owner, who turned agricultural land into a site for collecting or disposing of waste illegally.
“The state government further reserves the right to take forfeiture action on the land if the owner fails to comply with the instructions as stated in Notice 7A,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Clarifying that the waste dumped at the site is commercial or industrial solid waste and not e-waste, Jamaliah said their investigations have confirmed that burning activities frequently occur at the site.
“Following the site visit, more frequent daily monitoring actions in the area are being implemented by the Kuala Langat Municipal Council (MPKL), with observation through closed-circuit television to ensure no new waste collection or disposal activities occur at the site.
“MPKL also issued a notice under Section 70A(1) of the Street, Drainage, and Building Act 1974 on July 1, which provides that no one may commence or carry out work without the approval of the Local Authority, punishable by a maximum imprisonment of five years or a maximum fine of RM50,000 or both,” she said.
Jamaliah added that Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari is closely following the issue and takes a serious view of the matter, with a site visit deemed necessary if the issue is still unresolved.
“Members of the public, especially landowners, must comply with the rules, conditions, and laws set forth, and are reminded not to be involved in activities that cause environmental pollution,” she said.
An integrated fire extinguishing operation at the site is being carried out by the State Disaster Management Unit along with agencies and departments including MPKL and its Special Action Squad, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force.
“The extinguishing operation uses the ‘direct attack’ method and excavators to dig up piles of rubbish to facilitate extinguishing work,” Jamaliah said.
The councillor said that since the site collects commercial or industrial solid waste, the issue has also been brought to the attention of the state executive councillor for local government.
“Among the proposals discussed is closing the access route with strict control so that no parties can access the area to dump or dispose of waste illegally.
“Only landowners are allowed to enter to carry out cleaning activities or other activities that do not violate the conditions and laws,” she said.
