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

JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 15 – The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) is currently finalising four investigation papers on the dumping of construction waste from Singapore in Pontian.

Johor SWCorp director Zainal Fitri Ahmad said that the investigation papers are expected to be completed in three months time before being referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action.

“The probe involves four parcels of land in the affected areas and the statements of two landowners have been recorded. 

“We will obtain statements from the remaining two to complete the investigation papers,” he told reporters after inspecting the community service order involving 26 offenders at De Stulang here today.

Zainal Fitri was commenting on SWCorp’s investigation progress into the alleged dumping of construction waste from Singapore in Pontian.

He added that monitoring by his SWCorp showed that there were no new cases of illegal dumping of waste from abroad in other areas.

“So far, there are no new cases reported and investigations will continue for the purpose of prosecution on the existing cases,” he said.

Previously, Pontian district officer Mohd Farid Hassan was reported saying that the locations identified as dumping sites for the construction waste included Kampung Sungai Karang, Kampung Sungai Senai, and Kampung Simpang Kiri.

Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said that a special committee — comprising the local authorities, police, district office and SWCorp — have conducted a comprehensive investigation into the issue.

On the community service order, Zainal Fitri said that the latest session involved 12 locals, while the remaining 14 were non-citizens, comprising seven Bangladeshis, three Nepalis, three Indonesians, and one Pakistani.

He said the cases involved minor littering offences in public areas, comprising 25 instances of discarding cigarette butts and one instance of discarding a beverage can.

“This community service order is part of an enforcement approach via legal channels that not only has a rehabilitative effect on offenders but also aims to educate the public on the importance of maintaining public cleanliness.

“It’s  implementation is not merely a punishment, but a direct civic education approach for offenders to understand the impact of irresponsible littering and to foster awareness on maintaining environmental cleanliness,” he said.