Heavy vehicles are seen at the Sibuti landfill.
MIRI (April 28): A Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leader has labelled the Sibuti Sanitary Landfill a “human rights violation” and has demanded the authorities intervene immediately.
PKR Sibuti deputy branch chief Zulhaidah Suboh said villagers around the landfill have suffered its consequences for over a decade.
“Over 2,500 locals from Kampung Subak A, Kampung Subak B, Kampung Keluru Jaya, Kampung Keluru Tengah, Kampung Butir, and Kampung Opak were affected,” she said.
“I have seen the pollution myself — in the air, in the river. The health and well-being impacts are gravely concerning. This is a human rights violation and Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) must be deployed immediately to investigate without delay.”
According to her, members of the community have filed complaints since 2011 about the unbearable stench as well as polluted river destroying their water supply and livelihoods.
She claimed the waste mounds at the landfill are growing, a sign that authorities are failing to manage, let alone resolve, the crisis.
She called on the state government, Miri City Council, and Natural Resources and Environment Board to take urgent remedial action or relocate the landfill to a site that meets environmental standards — well away from any residential area.
“When authorities stay silent or drag their feet while residents pay with their health, that is not an administrative delay — that is criminal neglect. It will not be tolerated,” she said.
“The voices of the people of Sibuti must be heard now, not tomorrow.”
The Sibuti landfill services a large area, handling waste for Miri City and Subis District.
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