ALOR STAR: The state government has instructed all local authorities in the state to immediately resolve the illegal dumpsites issue.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor stressed that the issue should be addressed as the state is gearing up for the Visit Kedah Year 2025.
"We hope that all the local governments will take action on this matter as we are launching the Visit Kedah Year 2025 by next month.
"In fact, we are not just focusing on the campaign for 2025, as we also want to make Kedah a preferred tourism destination beyond 2025," he said in a press conference after contracts balloting programme at Wisma Darulaman here today.
Sanusi was responding to media reports yesterday on the presence of 15 illegal dumpsites along Sungai Merbok in Sungai Petani.
Kuala Muda District Officer Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya was reported as saying that the issue has been going on over the past 50 years and affecting the mangrove ecosystem along the river.
He said lack of awareness of the importance of preserving the environment among local residents was the main contributing factor.
Meanwhile, the state Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, and Resources and Environmental Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff @ Munir Zakaria said campaigns will be stepped up in all Kedah districts to address the issue.
"The state executive council has approved an allocation to hold an awareness programme in all districts in Kedah.
"The campaign requires the participation of all stakeholders through various approaches. For example, the campaign we held in Dataran Tsunami, Kota Kuala Muda in conjunction with the World Environmental Day recently.
"In the meantime, the local governments and the Department of Environment have the power to act against those polluting the environment," he said when contacted today.