Ummi: The ground needs to be dug up to clear accumulated waste that has been buried.
TWO joint landowners of a plot in Jalan Sentul Bahagia, Kuala Lumpur, found to have construction waste buried, there have been given more time to clear the site.
This came after Federal Territories Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) director Ummi Kalthum Shuib paid a surprise visit to the site on June 22.
She issued a notice under sections 71 and 75 of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
Ummi also ordered the landowners to clear the site but upon checking the area on July 12, Ummi said she was not happy with the clearing work and gave a seven-day extension, starting July 17.
“Earlier, I asked the landowners to clear the rubble on their own.
“This time, I have asked an SWCorp officer to be on-site during the clearing work.
Heavy machinery, construction materials and tools were among items found on the land in Jalan Sentul Bahagia.
“Clearing the waste that is on the ground is not enough.
“The ground must be dug up in order to clear accumulated waste that has been buried.
“If the landowners fail to clear the site properly, I will open investigation papers on the matter, to be submitted to the prosecutor for court action,” she said.
If charged and found guilty, the landowners will be fined not less than RM10,000 but not exceeding RM100,000, or jailed for not less than six months and not more than five years, or both.
Ummi said SWCorp would discuss with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) how to ensure any activities on the site would be done legally.
StarMetro reported on the matter in a June 24 report titled “Landowners ordered to clear construction waste”.
In the article, Ummi was quoted as saying that the landowners were a nuisance and their activities were a flood-risk to the surroundings.
Residents living close to the site reported to DBKL that the illegal dumping of rubbish going on there had been damaging adjacent houses for many years because of improper water dispersal, among others.
They claimed that DBKL officers, including those from the enforcement and health departments, had visited the site many times in the last couple of years.
However, it is not known if any notice was issued to the landowners.
DBKL has been contacted for comments but has yet to respond at press time.
