THE illegal dumping of waste has resulted in a peat fire breaking out along the banks of Sungai Kelang in Lembah Kinrara.

Residents complained that the latest peat fire in Lembah Kinrara had been raging for over a week.

The illegal dumping of waste had been a long-standing problem on the Petaling Jaya side of the river.

However, recently the Puchong side of the river has also become a target for the illegal activity.

Acrid smoke is being released, posing a health hazard to thousands of residents living nearby.

Resident Dominic Khoo said the authorities had given him the run-around after he lodged several complaints.

“I have been pushed around from one agency to another and the only recourse is to speak to the media.

“It is not right that we are being forced to inhale smoke released from the peat fire so often,’’ he said.

Khoo added the Federal Government should step in as the Selangor government seemed incapable of resolving the problem.

“I was informed by the Selangor Environment Department that it was not under their jurisdiction as the burning is taking place along the riverbank.

“They told me it was under the jurisdiction of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and the Land Office.”

Puchong fire station chief Mohd Hisam Mat Yasih said firemen took five days to put out the peat fire.

Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han said MPSJ was trying its best to put a stop to the illegal dumping.

“MPSJ has placed a concrete barrier to block entry and this managed to put a stop to the illegal dumping for some time.

“It is really sad to see residents having to put up with the smoke and pungent smell,” he added.