SEREMBAN: The authorities have discovered an illegal dumping of chemical waste believed to be paint and oil in Bukit Pelanduk in Port Dickson, says Negri Sembilan exco member S. Veerapan.
Veerapan said a team from the state Department of Environment (DOE) found between 70 and 100 barrels and 50 intermediate bulk containers (IBC) dumped at a secluded spot in the area.
Each barrel has a capacity of 210 litres while one IBC can accommodate 1,000 litres.
Veerapan, who holds the climate change, entrepreneurship, human resources, cooperatives and consumerism portfolios, said the area where the waste was dumped was not visible from the main road.
He said the state DOE had received a tip off at around 4.30pm on Oct 14 and a team arrived at the site two hours later.
"The area where the waste was dumped was located away from public view and hidden behind a wall, preventing it from being seen from the road.
"The contents of the barrels are believed to be paint waste, while the IBC tank contains what is believed to be oil," he said in a statement.
Veerapan said the dumping is believed to be illegal as there were no labels or any other information on the barrels or the IBCs.
"These were probably removed to avoid detection by the authorities," he said.
He said samples would be sent to the Chemistry Department to establish the contents of the barrels and the IBCs.
"The DOE would also investigate who is the owner of the land where the barrels and IBCs were dumped.
"A police report has also been lodged related to the case," he said.
The case, he said, is being investigated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and stern action would be taken against those responsible.
Veerapan also appealed to the public to provide any information related to the case to allow the authorities to complete their investigations.
