MPS: Complain to land office on illegal dumping - The Star

Jul 21, 2008 Story and photos by STUART MICHAEL

The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) says it does not have the authority to stop the illegal dumping of construction debris on private land.

Its president, Zainal Abidin Azim, said: “We cannot do anything to the dumpsite operator unless they are dumping household rubbish and not construction material.

“The complaints must be referred to the Gombak District Land Office for action to be taken.”

Last week, Zainal Abidin together with MPS Health and Licensing director Dr Razif Zainal Abidin and three Selayang councillors visited the dumpsite in Jalan SG9/8, Taman Sri Gombak, where lorries were dumping construction debris on the private land owned by several landowners.

Sign of danger?: Smoke coming out from amid the debris dumped at the site.

“We can’t do anything as it is outside our jurisdiction. Even if we seal the premises, the contractors might just remove it the next day,” said Zainal Abidin.

“The best solution is for the landowners who are against the dumping to sue the landowners who gave consent to the contractor to dump construction debris.

“MPS and the land office can be a party to the suit,” he added.

Zainal Abidin said some the land owners had applied to the Agricul-ture Department to start planting on their land but feared they could not go ahead with the plan due to the dumping activities.

A mess: Piles of used wood on the private land at Taman Sri Gombak.

Zainal Abidin said he had a letter from the former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo allowing the dumping of construction debris on the land.

Terence Miranda, a representative of the landowners, said the dumping had been going on for more than two years.

During the visit to the area smoke could be seen coming out from the debris, raising fears that it could be toxic.

“There are lorries coming in every now and then but they stop coming when MPS officers arrive,” said Terence.

He said the councillors present wanted Selangor state tourism, consumer affairs and environment committee chairman Elizabeth Wong to visit the site.