JOHOR BARU: Singapore has agreed to immediately halt the export of construction and demolition (C&D) waste to Malaysia following concerns over the disposal of such waste in Pontian, says Johor Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) director Zainal Fitri Ahmad.
He said the decision was conveyed to SWCorp Johor during a telephone call with Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) on Monday (Aug 17).
Zainal Fitri said the call was made by NEA Group resources and sustainability director Chan Chin Kai to discuss the export and disposal of C&D waste from Singapore to Pontian.
“SWCorp Johor stressed that any export of such waste to Malaysia must comply with the regulations in force and obtain approval from the relevant enforcement agencies in Malaysia,” he said here on Monday (Aug 17).
He said SWCorp had also provided the Singapore agency with a list of nine companies identified as being linked to the export of C&D waste from Singapore.
“This was to obtain further information and verification regarding the activities of the companies,” he added.
Zainal Fitri said the NEA subsequently informed SWCorp that shipments of C&D waste from Singapore to Malaysia would be stopped with immediate effect, while further checks would be conducted on the parties involved in Singapore.
He added that SWCorp Johor and the NEA would continue to communicate and share updates on investigations and follow-up action taken by both sides.
Zainal Fitri described the cooperation as a positive development in efforts to ensure that there would be no further shipments of such waste from Singapore to Johor.
“As this matter involves two neighbouring countries, we greatly appreciate the NEA’s concern over the issue raised by residents in Johor and the action taken in response,” he said.
Zainal Fitri added that the cooperation would also help SWCorp Johor strengthen its prevention, monitoring and enforcement efforts under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
He said the NEA’s action would help address an issue which residents claimed had been occurring for almost two years in Sungai Karang in Pontian.
“Singapore has rules and laws governing the export of used materials and waste. Malaysia also has laws and regulations that must be complied with regarding waste management and disposal,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zainal Fitri also said SWCorp Johor has opened four investigation papers under Section 71(1) of Act 672 in relation to the matter.
He added that another investigation paper had also been opened over a separate case involving the disposal of local waste.
Zainal Fitri said SWCorp Johor viewed the risk of environmental pollution from such activities seriously, including the possibility of other materials being disposed of together with C&D waste.
“Waste must only be disposed of at designated and legally permitted locations. SWCorp will continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement action under Act 672 against any party carrying out illegal waste management or disposal activities in the state,” he said.
