The Star, Wednesday August 6, 2014
Workers
at an illegal dump site along Jalan Hulu Langat seen attempting to
stifle the burning rubbish by heaping sand on top of the pile.
A PEAT fire is raging under an illegal dumpsite in Hulu Langat, Kajang.
A heavy blanket of smoke covers the entire area and the situation has worsened with the prolonged drought and haze.
Smoke has been emitting from the site for the past 10 days.
StarMetro visited the dumpsite along Jalan Hulu Langat on Monday and found that most of the waste consisted of construction debris and broken furniture.
The dumpsite is also a threat to the environment as it is near the Ulu Langat Forest Reserve.
A nearby resident who did not want to be identified said the illegal dumpsite has been operating for several years.
“People would collect money when rubbish trucks enter the area.
“This has been going on for more than 10 years, but the authorities have turned a blind eye,” he said.
The site was poorly fenced with discarded materials and a few workers could be seen in the vicinity.
Feedlot owner Azlin Khalid, who operates a feed yard for livestock at the top of the hill, said he was shocked to see flames and smoke at the site.
“I had to relocate my animals to higher ground as I was afraid the fire would spread,” he said, adding that he has about 300 livestock.
“Personnel from the Kajang Fire and Rescue Department came to put out the fire on the first night and they were here for three days.
“But, the rubbish pile is still emitting smoke and it is worse at night,” he said.
Azlin added that despite complaints to the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), no action had been taken to close down the site.
A representative from the Fire and Rescue Department said they would continue to monitor the situation.
“The fire will not spread as it is contained within the rubbish heap.
“It is difficult to put out the flames completely. In addition, there are no water sources nearby.
“We have to get a fresh supply every half an hour,” he said.
Dusun Tua assemblyman Razaly Hassan said there was an issue over jurisdiction.
“Neither MPKj nor the Hulu Langat Land and District Office could confirm who the land belonged to, but it should either be a forest reserve or state government land.
“I have brought this up many times during the Hulu Langat Action Committee meeting, but still no action has been taken,” he said.
Razaly added that he would pursue the matter with the relevant authorities.
A heavy blanket of smoke covers the entire area and the situation has worsened with the prolonged drought and haze.
Smoke has been emitting from the site for the past 10 days.
StarMetro visited the dumpsite along Jalan Hulu Langat on Monday and found that most of the waste consisted of construction debris and broken furniture.
A nearby resident who did not want to be identified said the illegal dumpsite has been operating for several years.
“People would collect money when rubbish trucks enter the area.
“This has been going on for more than 10 years, but the authorities have turned a blind eye,” he said.
The site was poorly fenced with discarded materials and a few workers could be seen in the vicinity.
Feedlot owner Azlin Khalid, who operates a feed yard for livestock at the top of the hill, said he was shocked to see flames and smoke at the site.
“I had to relocate my animals to higher ground as I was afraid the fire would spread,” he said, adding that he has about 300 livestock.
“Personnel from the Kajang Fire and Rescue Department came to put out the fire on the first night and they were here for three days.
“But, the rubbish pile is still emitting smoke and it is worse at night,” he said.
Azlin added that despite complaints to the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), no action had been taken to close down the site.
A representative from the Fire and Rescue Department said they would continue to monitor the situation.
“The fire will not spread as it is contained within the rubbish heap.
“It is difficult to put out the flames completely. In addition, there are no water sources nearby.
“We have to get a fresh supply every half an hour,” he said.
Dusun Tua assemblyman Razaly Hassan said there was an issue over jurisdiction.
“Neither MPKj nor the Hulu Langat Land and District Office could confirm who the land belonged to, but it should either be a forest reserve or state government land.
“I have brought this up many times during the Hulu Langat Action Committee meeting, but still no action has been taken,” he said.
Razaly added that he would pursue the matter with the relevant authorities.
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