SWCorp: Investigation papers on construction waste dumping from Singapore to be ready in three months

The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) in Johor Baharu is finalising four investigation papers regarding the alleged dumping of construction waste from Singapore into Pontian. According to SWCorp director Zainal Fitri Ahmad, these papers should be completed within three months and then forwarded to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.

Four parcels of land in the affected areas have been investigated, with statements from two landowners already recorded. To finalize the investigation, SWCorp plans to obtain statements from the remaining two landowners.

Zainal Fitri also mentioned that monitoring by his corporation revealed no new cases of illegal dumping of waste from abroad in other areas. As of now, there are no new reports of such cases, and the ongoing investigations will continue to prosecute existing cases. Previously, Pontian district officer Mohd Farid Hassan had mentioned that the suspected dumping sites of construction waste were in Kampung Sungai Karang, Kampung Sungai Senai, and Kampung Simpang Kiri.

The investigation into this issue is being handled by a special committee comprising local authorities, the police, district office, and SWCorp. Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor stated that the committee has conducted a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

Regarding the community service order, Zainal Fitri mentioned that the latest session involved 12 locals, while the remaining 14 offenders were non-citizens, including seven Bangladeshis, three Nepalis, three Indonesians, and one Pakistani. The cases involved minor littering offenses in public areas, with 25 instances of discarding cigarette butts and one instance of discarding a beverage can.

Zainal Fitri emphasized that the community service order is a rehabilitative measure aimed at educating offenders on the importance of maintaining public cleanliness and fostering environmental awareness.