SEREMBAN: The illegal dumping of chemical waste, believed to be paint and oil, has been discovered in Bukit Pelanduk in Port Dickson, says state executive councillor S. Veerapan.
He said a team from the Environment Department (DOE) found between 70 and 100 barrels and 50 intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) 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 portfolio, said the area where the waste was dumped was not visible from the main road.
He said the state DOE received a tip off around 4.30pm on Oct 14 and a team was at the site two hours later.
“The contents of the barrels are believed to be used paint waste, while the IBC tank contains what is believed to be oil,” he said yesterday.
Veerapan said the dumping was deemed illegal as there were no labels or any other information on the barrels nor on the IBCs.
“The labels were probably removed to avoid detection by the authorities,” he said.
Veerapan added that samples would be sent to the Chemistry Department to establish the contents.
“The DOE will also investigate who is the owner of the land where the barrels and IBCs were dumped.
“A police report has also been lodged,” he said.
The case, he added, 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 information related to the case to allow the authorities to complete their investigations.
