JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 17 (Bernama) — The export of construction and demolition (C&D) waste from Singapore to Malaysia will be halted, effective immediately, following the alleged disposal issue of such waste that has been occurring for almost two years in the Sungai Karang area, Pontian.
Johor Solid Waste Management and Public Cleaning Corporation (SWCorp) director Zainal Fitri Ahmad said that the matter was communicated by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) group director for resources and sustainability, Chan Chin Kai, via a phone call today.
“In the discussion, we presented nine companies identified as being involved in the activities.
“Therefore, the NEA has announced that the delivery of the waste will be halted immediately and further investigations will be conducted against the parties involved in Singapore,” he said in a statement today.
Zainal Fitri said that any waste export activities must be carried out at authorised locations and approved by the relevant enforcement agencies in accordance with legal provisions.
He said that his party takes the risk of environmental pollution seriously if the activity is not contained, including the possibility of other materials being disposed of along with the C&D waste.
According to him, Johor SWCorp and the NEA will continue to share the latest developments from the investigation and the follow-up actions taken by both parties from time to time.
“The cooperation provided is a positive development in the effort to address the issue that has allegedly been occurring for almost two years in the Sungai Karang area, Pontian.
“…indirectly we can strengthen prevention, monitoring, and enforcement efforts in accordance with the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 [Act 672],” he said.
In the same development, he said that four investigation papers have been opened so far under Section 71(1) of the same act, in addition to another investigation paper involving a case of local waste disposal.
— BERNAMA