NIBONG TEBAL: The Penang Environment Department (DOE) has opened two investigation papers (IP) against the management of the Pulau Burung landfill in Jalan Byram here, in relation to the fire at the site since last Jan 12.

       Its director, Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said apart from investigating the incident, the department was also monitoring air pollution in the area.

       Investigations against the management company of the Pulau Burung landfill were being conducted under Section 29A and Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which is for open burning and its compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), respectively, she said when met here Friday (Jan 21).

       The Pulau Burung landfill was declared a level one disaster area based on the National Security Council (MKN) No. 20 directive after the fire there polluted the surrounding area and posed a risk to health.

       The 16.19ha landfill was reported to have caught fire at 5pm on Jan 12 and the fire had yet to be completely extinguished as of Friday.

       According to Sharifah Zakiah, this was not the first time the Penang DOE had taken action against PLB Terang Sdn Bhd, which is the company that manages the landfill.

       "The Penang DOE had issued 14 notices to the company and apart from that we have also issued two compound notices against the company for open burning,” she added.

       Meanwhile, she said there was a slight increase in air quality readings in the nearby areas outside the Pulau Burung landfill.

       She said the Penang DOE had sent a team to monitor the situation, as well as to detect any pollutants in the form of gas and dust released from the landfill.

       "The air quality readings have shown some improvement and we are monitoring. So far, the fire-fighting operation using the water bomb method since two days ago has shown positive development,” she added. - Bernama