KUALA LUMPUR: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has recommended action against Department of Environment (DOE) officers in connection with the illegal disposal of scheduled waste in Bukit Pelandok, Negri Sembilan, following the completion of its investigation into a complaint.
“The complaint centred on actions taken in relation to the unlawful dumping incident in Negri Sembilan.
“Following its investigation, the commission has decided to refer its findings and recommendations to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Public Service Department, DOE director-general and DOE disciplinary authority for appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against the officers involved from both the headquarters and the state office,” said the EAIC yesterday.
It said the investigation results will also be referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and will be made public in the near future.
It was reported in December last year that DOE conducted an inspection at an illegal scheduled-waste disposal site in Bukit Pelandok, following complaints lodged with the department, with two illegal dumping locations found 200m apart.
At both sites, officers discovered about 800 drums and intermediate bulk containers believed to contain chemical waste, with the stash concealed behind a wall about 3m high.
The removal of waste from the first location to a temporary storage site has been fully completed with the landowner’s cooperation, with the estimated cost of cleaning and disposal at about RM1.16mil.
DOE, together with other agencies including the police, investigated the matter.
According to Bernama, the Chemistry Department said the illegally disposed waste was suspected to consist of liquids containing used solvent compounds and solid materials.
The dumping of these chemicals and scheduled waste demonstrated failures of DOE, whose officers are responsible for monitoring and regulating scheduled waste disposal.
The public is urged to report any illegal dumping and other related activities via the 24-hour hotline (1-800-88-2727), email (aduan_k@doe.gov.my), or through the DOE portal at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my.
