Quick action on illegal dumping

Admin

Story by Chan Lilian
Pix by Alissala Thian

BUKIT Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh Deo and Seri Delima assemblymember RSN Rayer together with Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) officers recently visited the illegal dumping site at the fringes of Bukit Hijau in Cangkat Tembaga.

Local daily The Star highlighted the issue on July 7 and it received the serious attention of Ramkarpal and Rayer.

MPPP issued and served a notice under Section 82 (5) of the Local Government Act and the landowner must clear the debris within five days, failing which, MPPP will move in and do the clearing and charge the landowner for expenses.


”Obviously this is a very serious matter with serious consequences. This is a huge dumping ground, I could see it even from the road when I came. The point is here action has to be taken immediately,” Ramkarpal said.



“Prosecution would be important. No doubt the action taken by the council is commendable but we must also ensure that such action of illegal dumping is not repeated. A more important lesson here would be an exemplary punishment to be meted out to those involved and that can be achieved by way of prosecution. Let’s not forget it is not only the physical debris but also danger of aedes mosquitoes breeding,” Ramkarpal added.

Meanwhile, Rayer found it strange that the residents did not lodge a complaint to his service centre as they usually do.

Rayer suspects that it could be due to fear of the residents’ security that caused them to remain silent.
Rayer urged members of the public and residents nearby to contact his service centre at 04-6595611 (telephone) or 04-6596611 (fax) or via email to [email protected]

The area of the land is about 3.0183 hectares and it is currently filled with broken tiles, glass shards and other building materials believed to be from renovation works. MPPP has also submitted the lorry registration number to the Road Transport Department and the owner of the dumping company will also be given a notice.