SWCorp stepping up enforcement against illegal dumping of construction waste

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territory Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) will intensify enforcement to stop the illegal dumping of construction waste in the city.

Its director, Ummi Kalthum Shuib, said the move followed the closure of the inert waste landfill in Sungai Kertas, Selangor, at the end of last year, in addition to the sharp increase in reports related to the activities.

"In 2022, 42 illegal dumping hotspots were reported, of which 29 were hotspots for construction waste. The total number of hotspots also increased from 32 in 2021," she said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 11).

"Also, 326 tonnes or 326,000 kilogrammes of construction waste were disposed of illegally in Kuala Lumpur last year, while the total illegal waste volume was 344.3 tonnes. This shows that construction waste made up 94.6 per cent of the total illegal waste in the federal capital,” added Ummi Kalthum.

She also said beginning Jan 1 this year, all construction waste must be disposed of at the Kuang Inert Waste Landfill in Rawang; Dengkil, Sepang or the Sungai Sabai Sanitary Landfill in Kalumpang in Selangor.

Ummi Kalthum added that SWCorp will continue to carry out surveillance and enforcement to stop the illegal dumping of waste.

"Those caught will be investigated under Section 71 (1) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) which prohibits unauthorised depositing, treatment or disposal of controlled solid waste.

"Those found guilty will be fined not less than RM10,000 and not exceeding RM100,000 or jailed for a term not less than six months and not exceeding five years or both,” she said.

In Melaka, state SWCorp director Khairuladha Ab Mutalib said they will increase monitoring and surveillance this year to stop the dumping of commercial waste at illegal sites.

Khairuladha said this included 37 active dumping sites for commercial and construction waste that they have identified.

He said they are focusing on the Melaka Tengah district, where a large number of industries and commercial businesses are located, with 18 active locations identified in the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) administrative area.

"We have brought two cases to court, and we expect more will be charged this year,” he added. - Bernama