KOTA PADAWAN: The tyre storage site at Mile 9, which caught fire recently, has been confirmed as an illegal and unlicensed facility, says Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) deputy chairman Daily Joseph.
Daily said the premises, located within MPKS jurisdiction, had never been issued any permit or operating licence by the council.
“In the first place, this is an unauthorised site. MPKS has no authority to issue any form of licence for such operations,” he told reporters during a site visit to the fire scene on Tuesday (Nov 4).
He said although the council had limited enforcement power over the facility, it had been conducting regular monitoring of the area since 2009 following numerous complaints from nearby residents.
“We have been keeping an eye on the site for a long time. There were issues related to hygiene and mosquito breeding, and we worked together with the Samarahan Health Department (KKM) to address them.”
He added that MPKS had issued several compound notices over the years to property owners and individuals found to have violated public health and cleanliness by-laws.
Daily said the council will continue to monitor the area and take necessary measures to ensure the fire does not lead to further health or environmental risks.
“After this, we will continue to work closely with NREB and the Health Department for any joint enforcement operations.”
Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) assistant controller Dau Utau said the factory had never applied for any permit to operate as a tyre storage or processing site.
“We have no record or prior knowledge of this facility because there were no applications or reports from the public or any other agency.”
He added that NREB will open an investigation paper and take appropriate action under the Natural Resources and Environment (Collection and Disposal of Used Tyres) Rules, 2012.
