Villagers want dumpsite near Kg Sungai Buaya to be sealed off

(From left) Mohd Azlan, Mohd Fauzul, Puvaneswaran and Azmi at the dumping ground in Kampung Sungai Buaya, Rawang. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star

THE road beside a cemetery in Peringkat 3, Kampung Sungai Buaya, Rawang has become a rubbish dumping ground over the last three months.

Irresponsible parties have been dumping tiles, construction waste and plastic containers, among other rubbish, and also started a fire at the site, leaving nearby villagers jittery.

According to Kampung Sungai Buaya Village Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman Mohd Fauzul Aidil Mohd Roseli, 30, the dumpsite was just 100m away from the homes of some villagers who fear for their safety if the fire spreads.

“There is also concern that monkeys and other animals are eating food scraps from the dumpsite, and this could lead to a pest problem in the area,’’ he said.

Kampung Sungai Buaya resident Azmi Abdul Manaf, 54, said rubbish was being burnt at the dump site, which is also near a Felda plantation.

“I alerted Mohd Fauzul who informed Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) about the matter.

“If the place is left uncleared, then more lorries would come and dump rubbish here,’’ he said.

Another villager Mohd Azlan Mohd Ishak, 47, was worried about a possible dengue outbreak as the dumpsite was also a potential mosquito breeding ground.

“I hope authorities will take action immediately,’’ he said.

MPHS Zone 22 councillor Puvaneswaran Patchimuthu, when informed, said he would forward concerns to the council.

“If MPHS does not take action, I will use my own allocation to bring in a lorry and excavator to clear the rubbish from the site within two weeks.

“I also want MPHS to place a signboard at the site warning people against throwing rubbish and to seal off the area with tape,’’ said Puvaneswaran who visited the site after receiving the villagers’ complaints.

Lorry drivers caught dumping rubbish face a hefty fine of up to RM3,000 and have their vehicle impounded by the council.

MPHS has two legal dumpsites, one in Kalumpang and another in Bukit Tagar, he said but added that some parties wanted to take the easy way out by dumping rubbish in places convenient to them.

“MPHS spent millions of ringgit on rubbish disposal and to beautify the areas, so people should be more responsible in their actions,” he said.