INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE TO CURB ILLEGAL DUMPING OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN KLANG

A MULTI-AGENCY task force led by Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) has been formed to clamp down on the illegal dumping of construction waste in the city.

Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said a growing number of rogue contractors and clandestine operators were using vacant plots on the outskirts and rural pockets along rivers as illegal landfills.

Known as the Klang District Illegal Landfill sub-committee, the task force comprises MBDK’s departments and key state and federal agencies.

These include the Environment Department, Public Works Depart­ment, Drainage and Irri­­gation Department (DID), District and Land Office, Land and Mines Office, Director-General of Land and Mines Department, police, Fire and Rescue Department and Road Transport Department.

Currently, Klang has 21 active illegal disposal sites in Meru, Johan Setia and Port Klang.

“These illegal dumping activities not only mar the landscape of the royal town but also pose severe environmental, health and drainage hazards.

“They clog waterways and worsen flash flood risks across the district,” Abd Hamid said during a visit by Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif and a 16-member delegation.

Abd Hamid added that the city council aimed to eliminate jurisdictional overlaps that had previously hampered enforcement efforts.

“MBDK’s Environmental Services Department will lead and consolidate enforcement powers of the various agencies.

“This synergy ensures that intelligence sharing, site surveillance and raid operations can be executed seamlessly and swiftly.”

He said the city council had adopted a zero-tolerance stance against offenders, warning that they would face heavy fines, mandatory cleanup costs and vehicle impoundments.

“Developers and contractors carrying out home renovations are reminded of their legal obligation to dispose of construction debris at designated, licensed landfills,” he said.

Klang Public Works Department (JKR) engineer Ahmad Suhaimi Mohamad Zamri, who is in charge of roads, said the department would coordinate with all participating agencies to stop illegal waste dumping along road reserves in Klang, Pandamaran, Bukit Kemuning, Meru and Kapar.

“We will have a six-man team in each location,” he added.

Klang DID technical department technician Khairul Faizal Khairi said: “We have 51 sluice gates along rivers but we will have at least five men overseeing river reserves at 10 locations where rogue contractors are known to dump renovation debris.”

A Klang District and Land Office spokesperson said the joint initiative underscored the authorities’ commitment to preserving public spa­ces and protecting local ecosystems.