Filth on factory road

The dumping site near a solvent factory stretches almost 100m.

IMAGINE having to live in fear because of the open burning taking place near your chemical solvent factory.

For two years, factory owner CK Chooi had to endure this and now, he wants the Ipoh City Council (MBI) to do something about the illegal dumping and open burning in his area.

A 100m stretch of the road leading to his factory premises at the Jelapang Industrial Estate in Silibin was covered in rubbish.

One lane of the two-way road was completely obscured by rubbish.

And, some would burn the rubbish without realising there was a chemical factory nearby.

One of the dumping sites at the area. Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star  

Chooi said this has been happening for the past three years and at the recent city council quarterly meeting, he raised the issue with mayor Datuk Zamri Man.

“I wanted a solution. I suggested the council install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, have the place under surveillance or build a fence around the dumping sites.

“They said the CCTV option is expensive but they will consider the other two. As a factory owner, I’m saddened by what’s happening,” he added.

Although Chooi had the opportunity to take photos of the culprits, he said he did not want to get into trouble by doing so.

“The council did ask me to take photos of those responsible but I’m afraid the people involved will come looking for me.

“I know some of these people can be violent. I would rather let the authorities take action,” he explained.

Factory owners showing the site at the Jelapang Industrial Area.

Chooi was not the only one who was concerned about the “stinky” situation.

Members of the Kinta Factory Owners Association held a press conference at the Wonderful Creamery (M) Sdn Bhd factory recently to voice their displeasure over the illegal dumping sites around the Jelapang Industrial Area.

Its secretary Voon Chee Keong said the rubbish problem has been going on for a year and even though notices have been issued by the council, no one was heeding them.

They had complained to MBI about the problem many times and once, the council cleared the place. But one week later, rubbish piled up again in those places.

“Recently, some contractors, who were supposed to have been hired by the council, trimmed the trees at the industrial area and threw the branches at the illegal dump sites.

“Some burned the branches and we are concerned about the danger.

“What if the fire spreads to the factory areas? We have a few chemical factories here too. If the fire spreads, there might be an explosion,” warned Voon.

Voon said he had sent many letters to the council about the problem but no long-term solution has been worked out.

Contractors who came to trim the trees, threw the branches at the illegal dumpsite, says Voon. 

“Clearing won’t help because a few days later, people will still dump their rubbish there.

“I hope the authorities can do something before things get worse,” he said.

The association’s committee member Lum Chee Won said the dumping sites can also become a breeding ground for the Aedes mosquito during the rainy season.

“I’m afraid the workers here will be affected if there are Aedes mosquitoes. There are 60 factories here and all the owners were not happy about the illegal dumping sites.

“We’ve given the council some solutions and let’s hope they follow up on it.

“We want an end to this problem as it has gone on too long,” he added.

A spokesman from MBI said they will take action by sending their enforcement officers to the industrial area.

“We will be sending our enforcement team regularly but they won’t be clad in uniforms. They will be in plain clothes,” added the spokesman.