PETALING JAYA: An illegal construction dump next to a food court in Taman University is raising the ire of Taman Tunku assemblyperson  Lau Weng San.

Lau said the site in SS3/33 has become a hotspot for contractors to dump empty cement bags, paint cans and refuse from renovation works.

(From left) Lau showing the dumpsite with cement bags as Tiong (right) looks on.

“Majority of the materials that are dumped here are construction waste,” said Lau during a visit to the area on Tuesday.

He said irresponsible renovation contractors were putting the lives of customers in danger.

“Debris from renovation can cause breathing ailments. Dust can get into the food and drinks,” said Lau.

He fears that rogue contractors would follow suit and dump bulk and garden waste there in an effort to discredit the city council’s efforts to handle waste management.

“I’m worried there will be deliberate dumping at that spot by unhappy contractors out to make MBPJ look bad in this area,” he said.

Lau’s statement comes in the wake of recent media reports that disgruntled contractors are dumping rubbish in public areas.

He called on ratepayers in his area to report acts of illegal dumping to MBPJ.

“Don’t let our public areas be a dumpsite. We have to cooperate and work together,” he said.

The first-term lawmaker said 30 new public cleaning contractors were recently briefed by MBPJ on illegal dumping.

They will commence work on March 1,  including going to illegal dumping hotspots in the city and collecting waste every alternate day.

However, he said the contractors could also be dispatched on short notice if the situation warranted it.

He said illegal dumping was stretching the city council’s ability to manage contractors’ schedules.

“Whether the situation is caused by errant people or a deliberate act to sabotage the state’s image, we have to step up our efforts to fight the problem,” he said.

Petaling Jaya city councillor Tiong Boon Keong said the illegal dumpsite was an ongoing problem which started in  November last year.