Norlizah looking at the stream that flows from the landfill site to Felda settlements nearby in Kota Tinggi.
RESIDENTS from several Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) schemes in Kota Tinggi are against the construction of a landfill about 1km from the nearest settlement.
Second-generation settler Rasid Che Harun from Felda Lok Heng Timur said his fellow villagers as well as residents from Felda Lok Heng Barat, Felda Lok Heng Selatan and Felda Simpang Waha were concerned over the project.
“The landfill will cause problems like water and air pollution for about 25,000 people living nearby.
A banner put up by residents of Felda Lok Heng to protest against the landfill project.
“A stream runs from the landfill site through our villages before entering Sungai Sedili Kecil.
“Do not make this area into a rubbish dump,” said the businessman when met at the project site.
He added that they came to know about the project in 2018 and held a protest back then.
“The project was put on hold but recently, we saw heavy machinery entering the site,” said Rasid.
Felda Simpang Waha resident Mohd Khairi Khairul Anuar, 35, claimed that the land owner did not meet with settlers to brief them about the project.
Rasid: Residents are concerned about water and air pollution.
“We have been experiencing inconsistent water supply at our settlement for decades and I am worried that this will worsen in future because of the landfill.
“We hope that they can find a more suitable location to set up the landfill away from residential areas,” said the cow breeder.
Johor Lama assemblyman Norlizah Noh, who visited the site, said she would channel residents’ concerns by writing to the relevant authorities such as Kota Tinggi District Council.
“From what I understand, the project had been cancelled previously.
“I am not sure why it has been allowed to resume this year without engagement with the locals or the assemblyman’s office.
“The project owner must at least hold a townhall meeting with the community to address their concerns,” said Norlizah, who is also Johor education, information and communication committee chairman.
She added that she would also bring the matter up with state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor as well as tourism, environment, heritage and culture committee chairman K. Raven Kumar.
