Sterner Action To Be Taken Against Illegal Waste Dumpers
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stressed the need for more radical and comprehensive measures to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the state's environment.
He said the recent decree by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, highlighting concerns about pollution in rivers and roads caused by irresponsible individuals, signals that it is time for more decisive action.
"Among the steps include raising the minimum compound rate as a clear signal to all parties, in addition to amending or introducing new, more relevant and stringent laws," he said during the winding-up session of the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting at Kota Iskandar here today.
He added that the state government has also formed a Special Committee to Tackle Illegal Waste Dumping, which has three main focuses: strengthening enforcement and reviewing outdated by-laws; expanding civic education and public awareness campaigns more aggressively; and introducing a smart monitoring system based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at hotspot areas to speed up the detection and prosecution of offenders.
Onn Hafiz said that although Section 69 of the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) empowers local authorities to impose fines of up to RM2,000 or one-year imprisonment and an additional fine of RM500 per day for repeat offences, as well as the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) which allows for penalties of up to RM100,000 for water pollution offences, these laws need to be further scrutinised.
"Other countries are far stricter and more aggressive than us currently. For example, Singapore imposes fines ranging from 2,000 Singapore dollars (RM6,600) to 50,000 Singapore dollars (RM165,000), Corrective Work Orders (public cleaning work), and 'Name & Shame'.
"In South Korea, the penalty goes up to 100 million won (RM350,000) and imprisonment of up to seven years, utilising technologies such as IoT sensors and CCTV.
"In Japan, laws like the 'Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law' and the 'Water Pollution Control Law' empower authorities with significant authority. Fines can reach up to 10 million yen (over RM300,000), and violations may result in imprisonment for up to five years," he said.
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