$8,000 Fine For Illegal Disposal Of Waste Along Kheam Hock Road
A supervisor of a moving company, Mr Siow Wei Wen, pleaded guilty to illegally disposing of office furniture from a lorry along Kheam Hock Road. The case was concluded in court on 23 January 2024. Mr Siow was convicted of one charge under section 20(1)(a) of the Environmental Public Health Act, and sentenced to a court fine of $8,000.
2 Mr Siow was engaged to transport unwanted furniture from a vacated office at Beach Road to a recycling facility at Sungei Kadut Drive on 30 January 2023. However, out of convenience, he discarded the waste at a secluded spot along Kheam Hock Road1.
3 The illegal disposal of waste is a serious offence as it pollutes the environment and can pose a hazard to public health. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will not hesitate to take strict enforcement action against any person who disposes of waste illegally. A first time offender is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and to imprisonment for a term of not less than one month and not more than 12 months.
4 With effect from 1 July 2023, it is also an offence to cause or permit the dumping or disposal of waste in a public place. This means NEA can take enforcement action against supervisors who instruct workers to dispose of the waste improperly.
5 Members of the public can assist NEA by submitting reports of suspected illegal disposal electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application. Alternatively, the public may contact NEA at 6225 5632 if they witness any illegal disposal activity. When reporting, it would be helpful if the date, time and location of the incident, registration number of the vehicle used to carry out the illegal disposal, as well as supporting photos and video clips, could be furnished.