BATU GAJAH: A powdery green and blue substance believed to be chemical waste has been dumped on vacant land near Taman Tronoh Baru.
Cattle owner R. Nithiananthan made the discovery the waste after 17 of his cows grazing on the land there died.
"I let my cows out to graze on Tuesday (Nov 4) and they started to die on Wednesday (Nov 5) with the last one dying on Saturday (Nov 8)," he said, adding that three more cows are missing.
"One of the cows even attacked me before collapsing and dying," he said during a press conference held by Perak Barisan Nasional public service and complaints centre chairman Mohd Rawi Abdullah at the site on Sunday (Nov 9).
Nithiananthan said lorries were seen dumping waste at the location.
"The lorries come with sacks of waste and unload them here, usually at night. I last saw them about a month ago," he said.
He added that his cows have been grazing on this land for two years.
Nithiananthan said this is the first such incident in his 25 years rearing cattle.
"I hope the Environment Department can identify the factory involved, determine the chemicals dumped and take action," he said adding that he lost an estimated RM50,000.
He also said he lodged a police report on Thursday (Nov 6) and was advised by the police and the Batu Gajah district council to file a report with the Veterinary Department.
Resident Nor Affandi Ahmad said he had repeatedly warned drivers not to dump waste there.
"They just say 'Okay abang, we won't do it again' but they still come. The air here is terrible and can cause the skin to itch.
"Sometimes they burn waste at night. The smoke is unbearable and thick like fog," added Nor Affandi.
Mohd Rawi urged authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice.
"This incident clearly violates the Environmental Quality Act 1974," he said.
When contacted, Perak Environment Department director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said that they had yet to receive any complaints over the matter.
