
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges all parties, both individuals and authorities, to address and immediately put an end to illegal waste disposal, which continues to occur in various locations across the country.
Local media reported in May 2024 about illegal waste dumping nationwide, among them was the illegal landfill in Kampung Jimah Lama, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.
In July 2024, residents of Semerak, Pasir Puteh, Kelantan revealed that an area near a cemetery was being used as illegal waste dumping ground by irresponsible people, leading to foul odour, rat and fly infestations and breeding ground.
In December 2024, residents of Felda Kerteh 4, Dungun, Terengganu discovered that roads in the oil palm smallholdings were being used for waste dumping despite warning signs prohibiting such activities.
Also, in December 2024, the residents of Kampung Telok Serdang, Perling, Johor raised concerns about an illegal dumping site near Sungai Skudai. This dumping site, as large as a football field, was on the edge of the river, which had already been reported to be heavily polluted and filled with plastic waste, primarily from discarded plastic bags.

Prior to this, in October 2024, residents of Kampung Tuah Jaya, Johor Bahru, expressed their disappointment over the presence of an illegal landfill near Sungai Danga. This had caused air pollution and negatively affected public health. Several locations along the river banks of Sungai Danga were filled with waste, emitting foul odour.
Illegal waste dumping sites have negative impacts on the environment, public health, and the community, as the leachate generated from such waste can contaminate nearby water bodies.
Most of these illegal dumping sites are filled with plastic waste, which we know poses a significant problem for the environment. Plastic waste is highly detrimental to both the environment and human health. Plastic now exists in all water systems. Intact plastic threatens aquatic life, while fragmented plastics, such as microplastics and nanoplastics, enter the food chain and eventually accumulate in the human body. When burned, plastic releases persistent organic pollutants, toxic gases, and greenhouse gases.
According to the report “Cleanest Countries in the World” by the World Population Review, which is based on research by Yale University, Columbia University, and the World Economic Forum (WEF), Malaysia’s ranking in global cleanliness is far behind many other countries.
This is highly embarrassing, especially since cleanliness has been emphasized in schools and communities for generations. Unfortunately, this awareness has not been translated into practice among adults.

We should take inspiration from the Japanese, who are renowned for their cleanliness, instilled through habits like cleaning classrooms in groups from an early age.
Additionally, continuous efforts by the authorities and communities to run cleanliness campaigns have not been effective due to the irresponsible actions of some members of society who dispose waste indiscriminately, leading to the emergence of illegal waste dumping sites.
Authorities are urged to strictly enforce Act 672 and related regulations and by-laws to address illegal waste disposal as only licensed entities are permitted to carry out solid waste management, waste facility management, or public cleaning services.
All parties can contribute to resolving this issue by practising waste separation at source, reducing waste generation, reusing materials, and recycling safely. Awareness campaigns in educational institutions and communities need to be intensified.
As we enter 2025, efforts to combat illegal landfills and waste disposal must be immediately addressed by all parties, as maintaining cleanliness in this country is everyone’s responsibility.
Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP)
Letter to the Editor, 5 February 2025