GEORGE TOWN, February 15 — The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has called for urgent action to tackle illegal waste disposal, which remains a persistent issue across the country. Reports from various states, including Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Johor, highlight the growing number of illegal dumping sites, often located near rivers, cemeteries, and plantations.
These sites not only cause severe environmental pollution but also pose serious health risks due to toxic leachate and plastic waste contamination. CAP emphasized that Malaysia’s poor global cleanliness ranking is concerning and urged authorities to strictly enforce existing waste management laws. CAP President Mohideen Abdul Kader stressed that waste separation, recycling, and responsible disposal should be prioritized by both individuals and authorities.
He cited Japan as a model for instilling cleanliness habits from an early age and called for stricter enforcement of Act 672 to penalize offenders. Awareness campaigns and community-driven initiatives must be intensified to combat indiscriminate dumping, as maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility. With 2025 underway, CAP urges all parties to take immediate and decisive action to address this pressing issue.
