RESOLVE WASTE DUMPING PROBLEM AT JALAN BAN, SUNGAI TENGAH CHANGKAT, NIBONG TEBAL

admin February 8, 2017 0 Comments

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is concerned of the problem of indiscriminate waste disposal in Jalan Ban Sungai Tengah, Changkat near Changkat fishermen’s jetty, Nibong Tebal in Seberang Perai Selatan, Penang.

The Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP), District and Land Office of Seberang Perai Selatan, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and the Department of Environment (DOE) Penang should immediately investigate the matter and resolve the problem of waste disposal here.

SAM’s survey found a 200 to 300 meter stretch filled with a variety of waste materials such as plastic, glass, wood, bottles, aerosol cans and others. In addition, we also saw traces of burning.

SAM found that garbage piled up was if the area was a landfill when the area is actually a  bund road to Kampung Bagan Buaya.

We do not rule out the possibility that this dumping has been happening for some time because a signboard has been erected stating that waste dumping is prohibited.

What appalls us is why the responsible parties did not detect and take action on the waste dumping whereas the signboards indicates that it is the directive of the District Engineer. The question is who is the District Engineer? Is it under the jurisdiction of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) or some other office?

SAM is concerned that if this issue is not dealt with immediately, the impact on the environment will become worse.

SAM therefore believes that concerted action and regular surveillance should be done by the responsible authorities so that this kind of pollution can be curbed from time to time. Field surveys are also necessary so that the parties who indiscriminately throw garbage at the said area will be more cautious because the authorities are vigilant.

In view of this SAM urges the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP), Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Department of Environment (DOE) and the District and Land Office of Seberang Perai Selatan to take immediate action to address and resolve this problem.

Media Statement, 8 February 2017