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GEORGE TOWN – The Penang state government will take action against the Pulau Burung landfill operator after a fire that started at the site last Wednesday continues to burn.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he is waiting for a report from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MBSP) and will raise the issue at the state excos’ meeting tomorrow.
“Notices have been served to the landfill operator when MBSP discovered that mandatory work in the schedule was not done. We will see what action can be taken. Worst-case scenario is to terminate the concession of the company,” he said to reporters after launching the 50th anniversary of Penang Industry here yesterday.
According to him, the Sg Burung landfill operator, Syarikat PLB Terang Sdn Bhd, began managing the landfill five years ago with a 21-year concession contract.
Chow clarified that a landfill contract cannot be short-term because it involves detailed management and needs daily operation.
All decisions in terms of action against the management should not be rushed and require careful planning.”
The landfill caught fire at about 5pm on Wednesday last week, and quick action by the Fire and Rescue Department and the Voluntary Fire Brigade to build a barrier around the blaze prevented the flames from spreading.
Meanwhile, Nibong Tebal Fire and Rescue Department chief Noor Asfariza Mohamad Abdul Kadir when met at the landfill said the team is now facing a water shortage.
We have only managed to extinguish about 7% and we are facing a problem because there is no water source here.
“To use seawater is not possible because the sea is too far away, and using water from ponds is risky as it contains chemicals,” she said.
She said at present, her team is relying on water supplied by MBSP.
“Currently, the landfill area is only accessible to small water tankers, and the temperature here is quite high and there is a lot of smoke, so we must be vigilant for the safety of the crew that has been here for the past six days from 8am to 8pm,” she said.
Some 6.5ha of the 16.2ha landfill is affected. So far, no casualties have been reported. – Bernama, January 18, 2022
