‘Close the stinking landfill’

Disgruntled residents in Bukit Palong area are demanding that the federal government keeps its 2009 promise.

PORT DICKSON: The Bukit Palong landfill in Lukut, which the federal government had promised to close in 2009, is still operational, and angry residents and business owners are demanding that the issue be resolved immediately.

They also want Mentri Besar Mohamad Hassan to intervene because the landfill has now become a health hazard.

DAP’s Lukut state assemblyman, Ean Yong Ting Sin, said the Bukit Palong landfill was filthy and residents living less than a kilometre away were grossly unhappy that the state government was not doing anything.

Urging the state government to close the Bukit Palong landfill, Yong said: “According to the Housing and Local Government Ministry, the landfill was supposed to have been closed in 2009 as the location is too near to the residential areas.

“They said a replacement plot of land to replace the landfill has been identified in Bukit Nenas, which is more than 20 kilometres from Lukut.

“But until today the Bukit Palong landfill is still operating.

“I have no idea why the state government is still using this location even though it is not suitable anymore as there are housing and business premises mushrooming around here”.

Yong told FMT that according to soil experts a landfill should be at least 20km away from any residential area because decaying garbage would emit various types of harmful gases eventhough the rubbish is buried.

He also pointed out that the dirty water produced when the garbage truck is cleaned is drained out into a narrow drain inside the landfill. This polluted water is then channelled into the open sea.

“This is another irresponsible action by the operator of the landfill. The local Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD does not seem to be taking any action.

“This effluent is clearly contaminating the sea.

“I urged Mohamad Hasan as the state head to address this problem once for all.

“We are talking about the safety and health of the people here in Lukut,” urged Yong.