Distasteful disposal: (From left) Rohaizat, Ang, Tan, Choong and Theng examining the illegally dumped construction debris in Bukit Jambul. — KT GOH/ The Star
GEORGE TOWN: A lorry driver was detained by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) enforcers for allegedly dumping eight tonnes of construction debris on a vacant plot of land next to a pocket park in Bukit Jambul.
City councillor Tan Soo Siang said a park visitor had spotted the lorry driver, in his 20s, committing the offence and called the MBPP hotline on Friday afternoon.
“A team rushed to the scene and waited in ambush. Photographs were snapped as evidence and as the lorry driver was dumping the third load, the enforcement personnel moved in and apprehended him at about 4pm.
“A police report was subsequently lodged, and he was released after being questioned. We also called up his employer to assist in our investigations,” Tan told reporters after visiting the site yesterday.
Also present were her fellow councillors Rohaizat Hamid, Benji Ang, Choong You Ray and Nicholas Theng.
Tan added that the case was referred to MBPP’s legal unit for prosecution under either the Local Government Act 1976 or the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, depending on which carries a more severe penalty.
“We view illegal dumping seriously and will continue to conduct regular operations to prevent such activities from happening in the state.
“Waste generators are responsible for ensuring that their appointed contractors transport and dispose of waste with a permit at a landfill approved by the council. Additionally, they should obtain a record of the waste weighing slip,” she said.
Though uncommon, lorry drivers are occasionally caught dumping construction debris illegally to save time and the fuel cost of sending the waste to approved landfills.
They have been seen and reported for dumping on vacant land and even into the sea by passers-by or the state’s public security surveillance cameras.
