Rubbish still dumped repeatedly near the Perling public market in Johor Baru despite several cleaning efforts by SWCorp.
THE number of new illegal dumpsites in Johor has increased to 184 sites in 2022. There were 109 in 2020 and 156 in 2021.
Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) Johor director Cairul Hisham Jalaluddin said most of the new illegal dumpsites in the state were in areas under Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) and Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG).
He added that MBJB had the highest number of dumpsites recorded from 2018 to 2022 with 226, followed by MBIP with 84 and 77 in MBPG.
“Construction projects under these three local authorities contributed to the high number of illegal dumpsites in the areas.”
He added that about 90% of the illegal dumpsites in Johor Baru, Iskandar Puteri and Pasir Gudang areas were used by waste disposal contractors.
Cairul Hisham says 90% of illegal dumpsites in three areas were used by waste disposal contractors.
He said Muar/Tangkak had 55 from 2018 to 2022, followed by Batu Pahat/Yong Peng (51), Segamat/Labis (43), Kluang/Simpang Renggam (41), Kulai (32), Pontian (18) and nine in Mersing.
“Most of the illegal dumping activities take place in secluded or remote areas away from public view.”
Investigations by SWCorp showed that the illegal dumping was mostly carried out on government-owned land and land owned by individuals.
“It is the responsibility of landowners to clear their plots if they are aware of illegal dumping taking place on their property.”
He said some of the landowners were also to blame.
“We are aware that they rent their land to construction companies and waste disposal operators.”
He said SWCorp would monitor the cleaning and removing processes to ensure the solid waste was dumped at authorised disposal sites.
Cairul Hisham reminded landowners that no repeat illegal dumping activities should take place on their land after it is cleared.
He said other hotspots to dump solid waste were near riverrbanks and squatter settlements.
“Most of the waste dumped on the sites are construction material, old tyres, furniture and big electrical items like washing machines and refrigerators,” he said.
He added that rubbish at the sites could contaminate rivers which were the main sources of raw water supply and this contamination could lead to the shutdown of water treatment plants.
Those caught dumping waste illegally can be prosecuted under Section 71(2) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 that carries a minimum fine of RM10,000 and maximum RM100,000, or a jail term of six months to five years.
