MBSJ continues crackdown on privately-owned land turned into illegal dump site

The Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) continues to crack down on privately-owned land that has been illegally turned into a rubbish dump site. Action is being taken against the landowner and culprit responsible for this violation. The private land, which measures approximately 2.8 to 3.2 hectares (7 to 8 acres), is located adjacent to an industrial area near Taman Perindustrian Puchong Utama, Puchong. MBSJ has found various types of waste, including domestic, construction, and automotive waste, dumped on the site.

MBSJ Corporate and Strategic Management Department deputy director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid stated, “We are taking action against two parties – the landowner for neglecting their property and failing to prevent unsanctioned activities, and the culprit or third party for illegally disposing of rubbish on the site.”

The landowner has been fined RM25,000 for carrying out or permitting earthworks without the council’s approval, as stated under Section 70A (9) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133). Additionally, MBSJ officers seized several roll-on, roll-off (roro) bins belonging to the third party responsible for the illegal dumping. Access to the site has been blocked with large stone blocks.

This is not the first time that MBSJ has taken action in this matter. Last month, the landowner received a similar notice and a RM25,000 fine. In that operation, several equipment were seized, and access to the site was blocked. The landowner is currently involved in a court case and must follow certain court procedures. The court has issued a 14-day notice for the trespasser to vacate the land by November 7. However, fresh signs of rubbish dumping prompted MBSJ to take action, as it indicates the landowner’s failure to protect the property adequately and the continuation of illegal activities by a third party.

If the dumping occurred on public land, MBSJ would have the authority to take action against the culprit and clean up the site under the MBSJ Garbage Collection, Cleaning, and Disposal Bylaw 2007. However, as the land is privately owned, it is the landowner’s responsibility to ensure the land is well-maintained and that no illegal activities take place.

Azfarizal explained, “The enforcement action taken is within MBSJ’s jurisdiction. In the event of a recurrence, we may have to involve the Petaling Land and District Office to confiscate the land as a last resort.”

The enforcement operation conducted by MBSJ involved approximately 20 officers from the MBSJ Enforcement Department and Engineering Department, as well as the Petaling District and Land Office.