By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SEPANG, July 3 — New legislation prescribing harsher penalties for operators and landowners is needed to combat illegal waste disposal activities, said Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
He stressed that perpetrators must face punishments commensurate with offences that cause severe harm to the environment and surrounding communities.
“A coordinated approach must be implemented because this issue is not confined to Dengkil alone, but also occurs in Kajang and Hulu Selangor. It needs to be addressed. The core issues are land and enforcement.
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Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari (left) speaks during a press conference after the Rumah Idaman Melur keys handover ceremony at Cybersouth 10, Sepang on July 3, 2025. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“We need to draft new laws because, at present, we are primarily limited by the Land Code. Perhaps the fines should be increased, and firm action taken not only against waste disposal operators but also landowners, as they have contributed to severe environmental damage.
“The government has spent tens of millions to clean up affected areas. There needs to be a legal overhaul to ensure stricter action, compensation, and heavier fines,” Amirudin said.
He was speaking after launching the publicity and public participation programme for the Draft Sepang Municipal Council Local Plan 2035 (Replacement) today.
Since last week, a 2.5-acre illegal waste disposal site along Jalan Monorel in Sungai Choh, Serendah, has been ablaze, impacting the surrounding environment.
Bukit Sentosa Fire and Rescue Station chief Kamil Hamadan said his team faced difficulties in extinguishing the fire due to ongoing heat and flames emanating from underground.
He noted that most of the waste dumped consisted of bulk rubbish piled more than 20 feet high, comparable in height to a two-storey terrace house.
Meanwhile, Batang Kali state constituency coordinator Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad said the relevant parties are gathering information on land use status, licensing, and whether the disposal was conducted per established procedures.
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A view of waste burning at the illegal dumping site along Jalan Monorel in Sungai Choh, Serendah, on July 2, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
