JOHOR BARU: The state government through the Johor Land and Mines Office (PTG) will be confiscating the private land in Taman Bukit Kempas for violating terms under Section 129 of the National Land Code, as it has been turned into an illegal dumpsite.
State local government, urban well-being, and environment committee chairman Tan Chen Choon said PTG had also issued notice 7A in accordance with Section 128 of the National Land Code to the landowner involved to restore the condition of the land.
“We have identified and taken action against the landowner,” he said when met by reporters after launching the Special Area Plan (RKK) Industrial Area (review) of the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) at KSL Hotel and Resort in Johor Baru yesterday.
He added that the entrance to the site would also be blocked off using concrete barriers so that such incidents would not recur.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Amran A. Rahman said some of the landowners had neglected their land and unaware that their property had been turned into illegal dumpsites.
“There are also some who have rented their land to an irresponsible third party that started this illegal dumpsite business.
“We hope the Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) can punish the culprit behind this incident with a heavy penalty,” he said.
Meanwhile, the residents of Taman Bukit Kempas had taken matters into their own hands by putting up a barricade at Jalan Bukit Kempas 4/4 to prevent any future open burning in the area.
According to a resident, Yusmahanim Yusof, 31, the dumpsite was started some time ago and the open burning had been going on for over a month now.
“We could not bear with this any longer and up until today, the Fire and Rescue Department is still conducting fire-fighting works to put out the flame underneath the pile of trash.
“The residents action committee decided to put a stop to this illegal activity by putting up a barricade of rocks and cement to stop any vehicles from coming into and out of the area,” she said.
She added that the situation did not change even after the matter was brought to the attention of the state government.
Taman Bukit Kempas residents action committee vice-chairman K. Gunasegaran, 42, said the barricade had been approved by Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian.
“There are two entry points to the dumpsite and one of it has been blocked with concrete while the other will have a metal barricade to stop irresponsible parties from dumping their rubbish at the site.
“Our main objective is to clear out this rubbish that had been dumped on our doorstep in the past few years and it is now estimated to be 25m high,” he said.
He hoped that the government agencies could come up with permanent solutions rather than a temporary one.
“Our next course of action is to organise a townhall session between the residents, government agencies and assemblyman with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal,” he said.
It was reported in StarMetro earlier this month that thick smoke was polluting the air in the area because of open burning at the illegal dumpsite.
Residents living nearby said it was affecting their health and especially the health of their children.
State local government, urban well-being, and environment committee chairman Tan Chen Choon said PTG had also issued notice 7A in accordance with Section 128 of the National Land Code to the landowner involved to restore the condition of the land.
“We have identified and taken action against the landowner,” he said when met by reporters after launching the Special Area Plan (RKK) Industrial Area (review) of the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) at KSL Hotel and Resort in Johor Baru yesterday.
He added that the entrance to the site would also be blocked off using concrete barriers so that such incidents would not recur.
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Amran A. Rahman said some of the landowners had neglected their land and unaware that their property had been turned into illegal dumpsites.
“There are also some who have rented their land to an irresponsible third party that started this illegal dumpsite business.
“We hope the Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) can punish the culprit behind this incident with a heavy penalty,” he said.
Meanwhile, the residents of Taman Bukit Kempas had taken matters into their own hands by putting up a barricade at Jalan Bukit Kempas 4/4 to prevent any future open burning in the area.
According to a resident, Yusmahanim Yusof, 31, the dumpsite was started some time ago and the open burning had been going on for over a month now.
“We could not bear with this any longer and up until today, the Fire and Rescue Department is still conducting fire-fighting works to put out the flame underneath the pile of trash.
“The residents action committee decided to put a stop to this illegal activity by putting up a barricade of rocks and cement to stop any vehicles from coming into and out of the area,” she said.
She added that the situation did not change even after the matter was brought to the attention of the state government.
Taman Bukit Kempas residents action committee vice-chairman K. Gunasegaran, 42, said the barricade had been approved by Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian.
“There are two entry points to the dumpsite and one of it has been blocked with concrete while the other will have a metal barricade to stop irresponsible parties from dumping their rubbish at the site.
“Our main objective is to clear out this rubbish that had been dumped on our doorstep in the past few years and it is now estimated to be 25m high,” he said.
He hoped that the government agencies could come up with permanent solutions rather than a temporary one.
“Our next course of action is to organise a townhall session between the residents, government agencies and assemblyman with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal,” he said.
It was reported in StarMetro earlier this month that thick smoke was polluting the air in the area because of open burning at the illegal dumpsite.
Residents living nearby said it was affecting their health and especially the health of their children.
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