Quick fix for Kajang dumpsite fire

Shariman (third from left) briefing Saifuddin (centre, in white), Cheong and Lim at the burning dumpsite in Bandar Mahkota Cheras. — Photo: SAMUEL ONG/The Star

A SHORT-TERM solution has been proposed to snuff out an underground fire at an illegal dumpsite in Bandar Mahkota Cheras in Kajang, Selangor.

The remedial measure is expected to start in three months and will take about 45 days to complete.

According to Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) officials, the underground fire had been spewing acrid smoke since January because of trapped methane gas underneath the topsoil.

The proposed measure was to put out the fire by putting sand over the surface and wait for the underground fire to burn out by itself, said Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad, who is the political secretary of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

During a visit to the site on Wednesday, Saifuddin said the situation was impacting residents in Bandar Mahkota Cheras and as far away as Sungai Long.

The polluted Black Water Lake.

“The site is privately owned, so it is the landowner’s responsibility to manage the site.

“However, as this concerns public health, we need a solution.

“MPKj will start by covering the area with soil to put out the fire,” he said.

This effort is estimated to cost RM300,000.

The 2.8ha site was used as an illegal dumpsite for more than a year before authorities shut down operations in January.

Saifuddin said a long-term solution was to instal a system to drain the gas with pipes, but this would involve significantly higher costs.

Also present during the site visit were MPKj Municipal Services and Health Department director Shariman Mohd Nor, MPKj councillor Lim Kim Eng, Hulu Langat District and Land Office officers as well as Kajang assemblyman David Cheong.

The group then visited another illegal dumpsite at Black Water Lake, some 50m away.

According to Saifuddin, the landowners had indicated that they would take remedial measures to clean up the area.

“MPKj is waiting for their proposed plans and we want it expedited,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cheong said it was time for the authorities to initiate the process to confiscate the two plots of land from the owners.

“It is clear that the owners are unable to clean up the area and prevent similar incidents from happening.

“It is a matter of public health and safety,” he said.

StarMetro previously reported that an environmental management services company appointed by MPKj had estimated that it would cost RM41mil to clean up Black Water Lake.

The site had been used as an illegal dumpsite since December 2021, with the lake littered with bottles, gunny sacks, polystyrene containers and plastic waste, contaminating the water and surrounding land.

The authorities finally acted on May 31, 2022, when Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas), Environment Department (DOE) and Hulu Langat District and Land Office conducted an integrated operation led by MPKj.

The local authority sealed off the lake area and a stop-work notice was issued to the landowners.