KUALA LUMPUR: In the wake of reports about health hazards caused by landfills, the Cabinet will soon issue a policy on their size and specifications.

Under the proposed policy, state governments will be directed to close existing landfills that cause environmental and health problems, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“New landfills will have to be found which will follow the environmental quality specifications set by the policy,” he told reporters after opening a FELDA women’s seminar at the KL Convention Centre here yesterday.

Najib heads a Cabinet committee looking into long-term solutions to resolve the problem of river pollution from landfills.

Early this month, consumers in the Klang Valley complained that water from their taps had a foul odour, with some even saying it smelt like faeces.

The foul smell and taste of the tap water was traced to increased levels of ammonia in the Sungai Selangor, the main water source for Kuala Lumpur and a large part of Selangor.

Initial investigations showed there was a leak from the Bukit Tagar landfill in Rawang.

On the same issue, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the Government viewed the issue of landfills and dumpsites very seriously, adding that a thorough study on the matter had been carried out.

“We have come up with a complete report on the situation nationwide and will submit it to the committee chaired by Najib,” he told reporters after launching the Malaysian Real Estate Convention, themed Become the Real Estate Shogun – Getting the Winning Edge for 2006 and Beyond, here yesterday.

Ong said the Department of Environment, which was investigating the source of the ammonia leak in Sungai Selangor, was expected to give its report to the Cabinet in two weeks.

He said the Cabinet would decide on the next course of action after reviewing the report.

“I think it is fair for us to let the DOE handle the investigations.

“The director-general (Datuk Rosnani Ibarahim) had said that they needed two weeks to put together the report,” he said.

“Let these professional departmental reports come in and, at that meeting, we will sit down and look at it.

“Definitely, the government will get to the bottom of the problem,” said Ong.

On solid waste management, he said his ministry had raised the issue with the Economic Planning Unit to submit the privatisation of solid waste management Bill to the Cabinet.

“I am confident that with Najib chairing the committee, we can speed up the process,” he added.

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