Nga: Govt takes firm stance against illegal waste sites, perpetrators
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 3,600 illegal dumpsites have been shut down nationwide, resulting in the removal of over 1,500 tonnes of waste.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the dumpsites were identified and cleared by Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) as part of its “Sentuhan Kejayaan” programme.
The operation, costing an estimated RM406,500, involved 3,634 dumpsites across seven states and the removal of 1,530 tonnes of rubbish as of October.
Nga said this achievement marked the most comprehensive enforcement effort since the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) was implemented.
This year, 4,268 undercover intelligence operations led to 22 court cases against illegal dumping perpetrators, the seizure of 23 vehicles, and total fines of RM385,000.
“This accomplishment is clear proof of the Madani government’s determination to combat illegal dumping aggressively, consistently and with high impact.
Clearing rubbish: Nga visiting a dumpsite identified under the ‘Sentuhan Kejayaan’ programme in Taman Yarl, Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
“Just as firefighters are the nation’s rescue heroes, SWCorp personnel are heroes of public cleanliness.
“They are the heroes working behind the scenes, showing great commitment to helping us keep the country clean,” he said during a “Sentuhan Kejayaan” programme dumpsite clearing operation here yesterday.
However, Nga added, that illegal dumping could not be resolved through such operations alone as stricter monitoring and tighter regulations were needed, too.
He said SWCorp enhanced its monitoring through the installation of 47 CCTVs at hotspots, a new strategy that successfully detected eight illegal dumping cases for further action this year.
Nga added that SWCorp’s new elite patrol unit, comprising 100 high-powered motorcycles, began patrolling illegal dumpsite hotspots across the country this month.
“The unit conducts targeted patrols in hotspots and hard-to-reach locations, which enhances SWCorp’s preparedness, monitoring capability and the community’s confidence in enforcement.
“We have also increased integrated enforcement operations through collaboration with the police, Environment Department and Malaysian Space Agency.
“This has enabled targeted enforcement actions at high-risk, critical sites with strong potential for prosecution,” Nga said.
He also called on Malaysians to report any sightings of suspected illegal dumpsites or illegal dumping activity to SWCorp’s Whats- App hotline at 013-2107472 or its application.
“We must remember that maintaining cleanliness requires cooperation from everyone – the public, private sector, residents and non-governmental groups – not just the government.”
