KUALA LUMPUR: The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a rise in illegal dumping involving medical waste such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and syringes.
Kuala Lumpur Department of Environment (DOE) deputy director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezzani Mat Salleh said tip-offs from the public had led to discovery of illegal toxic or scheduled waste dumping.
"Apart from healthcare facilities, other main contributors to scheduled wastes are vehicle workshops and hotels.
"The public can share information on illegal by calling our 24-hour hotline at 1-800-88-2727," he said in a press conference after attending the Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974 compliance seminar 'Jom Ambil Tahu & Patuh 2022'.
He said the amendments of the EQA would help curb pollution by proposing stiffer penalties of up to RM10 million fine and five years' jail.
"The bill was tabled for first reading in Dewan Rakyat recently and we hope that the amended penalties would be approved and we will carry out enforcement based on it."