KULAI, March 6 ― Many have been living with hazy conditions in recent days but it is nothing compared to what residents in Saleng have been going through for more than 20 years.
The town, some 30km north of Johor Baru, has been engulfed in toxic air for too long a time.
The resident attribute the poor air quality to a 20-acre illegal dumping ground in Jalan Kampung Baru Saleng.
It has turned worse as the Malaysian Meteorological Department said the town has not seen a single drop of rain for the past 24 days, as of yesterday, and the maximum temperature was 34 degrees.
The Malay Mail visited the area yesterday only to find residents helping a handful of firemen to douse peat fires. While most rubbish is burnt, orr team spotted garbage ranging from household items to construction waste.
The land was gazetted by the Kulai Municipal Council as a dumping ground in 1990 but was shut down in 2001 because of repeated fires. However, it did not stop many from continuing to dump waste on the privately owned land.
Even more shocking is that a primary school — SJKC Saleng — is located nearby, raising concerns over the health of its pupils.
Resident Fook Zhe Aan, 54, is baffled as to why the matter had not been addressed.
“The situation has gone from bad to worse. It's been going on since 1990. How long more do we have to suffer before this matter is taken seriously?” Fook, who lives in Kampung Baru Selang, asked.
Syed Aemir Syed Zuraimi, 45, said the poor air quality from the after-effects of the prolonged burnin often resulted in haze.
“Those living nearby would usually suffer from breathing difficulties and eye irritation. It's been going on for far too long but nothing has been done,” he said.
Chan Mei Xing, 38, said she was forced to move to her brother's house in Tampoi because of the polluted air.
“The smell of methane gas is so strong. We all know that such gas is dangerous, not to mention toxic fumes from burned industrial and construction waste dumped there,” said Chan.
Mother of two Zulaiha Mohd Maseran, 42, remains concerned over her family's health.
“It is bad enough that we have to deal with the hot weather and now the strong smell and smoke originating from this dumping ground,” she said.
“I am worried about my four-year-old twins. It has come to a point that we need to wear surgical masks at home.”
Kamarudin Sujangi, 36, said the school's close proximity to the site was already a good reason for the authorities to act on the matter immediately.
“Even if the authorities closed the school, there are still children living around the area,” he said.
“Something must be done now.”
