Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has shut down an illegal rubbish dump in Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh in Selangor, which caught fire last month.
MPS president Shahman Jalaludin said monitoring efforts would continue to ensure the site was not reactivated.
“The situation remains under control and we have not detected any new illegal dumping activities in the area.
“However, we will maintain full surveillance, particularly to ensure no fires break out at the site,” he said after MPS’ full board meeting at its headquarters in Selayang yesterday.
The intervention follows complaints from Bukit Rahman Putra residents over foul stench and thick smoke.
StarMetro had on Oct 20 highlighted the matter, with residents in the area complaining about persistent stench from the dumpsite and smoke from the recent fire.
A deep-seated fire started at the site on Sept 6 and persisted for several days, prompting calls for swift action due to health risks from its close proximity to residential areas.
To shut down the site, MPS excavated and eliminated the access path, thus blocking heavy vehicles from entering.
Shahman said MPS had from January to September, seized 12 lorries caught dumping waste illegally in the area.
“Under our standard operating procedure, any lorry seized in connection with illegal dumping is impounded for a minimum of 30 days.
“Offenders face a non-appeal-able fine of RM1,000 under By-law 4 of Refuse Collection, Removal and Disposal (MPS) By-laws 2007.
“Even if they pay the fine immediately, the vehicle cannot be released early.”
Shahman said the municipal council had been directly involved in firefighting operations from Sept 6 to 29.
On further action, he said: “As it is private land, the owner must restore it to its original condition.
“Gombak District and Land Office, which is liaising with MPS on the matter, will issue a remediation notice, giving the landowner between 14 and 30 days to comply,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shahman said upgrading works at the popular Selayang Hot Springs were expected to be completed next month.
“We aim to reopen the attraction by the end of the year, as upgrades are currently about 80% complete.
“Some underground tube-well works are still ongoing. Regular visitors are eager for the venue to reopen,” he said.
Shahman said the hot springs were also undergoing evaluation for national geopark recognition this week, with assessors visiting today.
He said the exercise would conclude tomorrow.
