KUALA Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS) says it has taken various enforcement actions to address the issues of illegal waste disposal and unauthorised land use in Kampung Sri Sentosa dan Kampung Sri Aman in Ijok.
“The area underwent conversion to make it suitable for residential purposes starting in 2008,” MPKS president Mohamad Hanafe Basri said in a statement.
“However, construction and domestic waste dumping have become increasingly widespread, leading to various environmental issues and safety concerns for residents.
“The two villages, which are located on the fringe of Sungai Buloh, also frequently experience flash floods due to their lower elevation compared to the road and river.”
Mohamad Hanafe says MPKS has established a special task force committee on illegal waste management.
On the enforcement action take by the council, Mohamad Hanafe said that since 2008, MPKS has issued verbal warnings and compounds to individuals and parties involved in illegal waste disposal and misuse of land.
“The council took more drastic measures in 2016 by closing off access to a frequently reported illegal dumpsite as well as digging ditches to prevent vehicles from entering the area.
“Gates and huts that were illegally built at the dumpsite’s entrance were also demolished,” he said.
“Despite the measures taken, illegal waste disposal and illicit land use persist.
“Among the challenges faced by the council are land misuse by other property owners seeking to protect against flooding and the difficulty in identifying landowners.”
To address the issue in a more systematic manner, Mohamad Hanafe said the Selangor government had issued the Selangor Land and Mines Office Order No. 1/2019 to coordinate inter-agency enforcement action.
“MPKS has established a special task force committee on illegal waste management,” he said.
“This committee is responsible for coordinating between MPKS, Kuala Selangor District and Land Office (PDT) and other enforcement agencies to effectively resolve the issue of illegal waste disposal.”
Since the committee’s establishment, Mohamad Hanafe said the agencies had, in the past five years, conducted joint enforcement that involved seizing 135 vehicles as well as issuing 281 compounds and 20 notices.
The highest number of seizures was recorded in 2023.
“Under the National Land Code 1965, the Kuala Selangor PDT took action by issuing notices to owners in cases of land misuse.
“To date, 33 Notice 7A have been issued to landowners.
“Of that number, 28 notices have expired and subsequently, Notice 7B was issued.”
Notice 7A is a notice for the landowner to restore the land to its original condition while Notice 7B refers to the actions being taken for violation of land use conditions.
“Twenty-eight plots of land have since successfully been remedied.
“Three landowners took the initiative to do so before the issuance of Notice 7B, bringing the total number of remedied lots to 31.
“Notice 7B will be served to the remaining two lots.”
To ensure a more effective long-term solution, MPKS is proposing several measures such as meetings with landowners to raise awareness of the effects and legal implications of illegal land use as well as offering incentives to encourage public reporting of illegal waste disposal.
“The council also plans to intensify efforts to educate the community on the importance of environmental conservation through public awareness campaigns,” said Mohamad Hanafe.
