Illegally dumped waste at Taman Bumiko before the council’s clean-up operation.
MIRI (June 22): Rats, mosquitoes, contaminated waterways and the looming threat of disease outbreaks are among the consequences facing Miri residents if illegal dumping is left unchecked, the Miri City Council has warned.
The warning came as the council disclosed that it had launched a sustained series of cleanup operations to clear illegal dumping sites across its jurisdiction, with workers removing large amounts of household waste, construction debris and bulky refuse discarded by irresponsible parties.
The council said the scale and persistence of illegal dumping in the city had reached a level that demanded urgent and continuous action, describing it as a serious concern that not only scarred the city’s surroundings but also posed unacceptable risks to public health, safety and the environment.
“Discarded waste can attract pests such as rats and mosquitoes, contaminate soil and waterways, create unpleasant odours, and increase the risk of disease outbreaks,” the council said in a statement on Monday.
Offenders have been put on notice that enforcement actions will intensify, with MCC making clear that those caught dumping illegally will face consequences.
MCC has undertaken clean-up works at Taman Bumiko after illegally dumped waste was reported there.
However, the council stressed that no amount of enforcement alone could solve the problem without a fundamental shift in public behaviour.
Residents and businesses were reminded to use approved waste disposal channels, including roll-on-roll-off bins for bulky household waste and the designated facility at Kuala Baram Landfill, instead of dumping waste indiscriminately.
In line with its slogan “ A Clean Environment is Everyone’s Responsibility”, the city council called upon the public to become its eyes on the ground, urging anyone who witnesses illegal dumping to photograph the act or the vehicle involved, especially at sites marked with the council’s ‘No Dumping’ signboards.
“We assure the public that the council will protect the identity of the complainant,” it said, adding that this was intended to allay fears of reprisal.
The council also pledged to intensify monitoring of known illegal dumping hotspots and expand public awareness programmes to curb the problem before it worsens.
