THE local authorities are intensifying their initiatives to curb the prevalence of illegal dumping in the state, says Penang Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
According to Jagdeep, since 2019 the local authorities have issued a total of 2,534 compounds and 1,287 notices besides instituting two legal proceedings against the offenders.
Jagdeep said in accordance with the Local Government Act 1976- Section 80, the local authority shall take steps to remove, put down and abate all nuisances done against the landowner.
“Notice will be issued under Section 46 (1) (e) Street, Drainage And Building Act 1974 for deposits of timber, scrap iron, derelict vehicles or any part of it, waste materials or other article or thing in any public place.
“And also under Section 47 (2) (a) Street, Drainage And Building Act 1974, to any person who deposits, drops, leaves or places onto any public place, any stone, cement, earth, sand, wood or other building material, thing or substance.
“For private land, the state government would identify the illegal dumping site, locate its owner and issue a notice under the Local Government Act 1976 -Section 74. The landowner will be then required to clean up the place,’’ said Jagdeep during an oral question raised by Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) during the State Legislative Assembly in Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Jagdeep also said the state government, through its local authorities, Department of Environment, Land and District office, has taken measures such as the installation of removable CCTVs.
He said there are now 1,171 CCTVs in Penang.
“A new site was initiated specially for the disposal of construction waste which uses technology to process the waste, which later can be turned into reusable resources.
“Regular patrolling is also conducted at hot spots of illegal dumping whereby if offenders are caught in action, enforcement can be done using the existing by-laws. Other efforts include rewarding those who give information on all the illegal activities,’’ added Jagdeep.
In response to an additional question by Lee Khai Loon (PH-Machang Bubuk) regarding the installation of CCTVs at hotspots of illegal dumping, Jagdeep said efforts are being carried to upgrade its technology.
“Speaking about court cases involving illegal dumping, many times the video footages tend to be inadmissible. Thus, we are now trying to upgrade its technology by looking at integrating the element of video analytics into it.
“We have also formed a special committee for disaster management in which, we are trying to come out with apps for the public to disseminate information or report illegal activities to both the local authorities,’’ said Jagdeep.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter