SINGAPORE: A construction company director and his brother were fined S$8,000 (US$6,000) each for illegally disposing renovation waste in a secluded spot, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday (Nov 20).
A restaurant operator who was renovating a shop in Chinatown had engaged the company to transport dismantled furniture and renovation debris to a recycling facility.
But Mohammed Ali and his brother Imran Hossain instead dumped the waste at a secluded spot along Neo Tiew Road in Lim Chu Kang.
The brothers pleaded guilty to one charge each of dumping waste in a public place. The case was concluded in court on Nov 8.
First-time offenders can be jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to S$50,000 or both. Repeat offenders may be jailed for between one month and 12 months, fined up to S$100,0000, or both.
“The illegal disposal of waste is a serious offence as it pollutes the environment and can pose a hazard to public health,” said NEA.
“NEA will not hesitate to take strict enforcement action against any person who disposes of waste illegally.”
Since Jul 1, it has been an offence to “cause or permit” the dumping of waste in a public space.
“This will allow NEA to take enforcement action against supervisors who improperly instruct workers to dispose of the waste,” said the agency.