FOR the past three years, Penoi Aneng has been scavenging recyclable items to survive and to feed her family at a landfill in Bukit Ibam near Muadzam Shah in Pahang.

The 53-year-old from Kg Simpai in Pekan left her village in search of opportunities but ended up scavenging for cans, newspapers, metal and aluminium objects to sell to make ends meet.

“I came from Kg Simpai and it is quite a distance away from Bukit Ibam. I came here three years ago to look for work and I brought my children with me.

“My brother-in-law lives here in Kg Bukit Biru in Bukit Ibam which is close to the landfill.

“We didn’t live in the landfill but close to the site. Every day, for the past three years, I walked to the landfill to look for recyclable items that can be sold.

“It is a tough job but that is the only source of income for my family. In a week or two, I can earn RM100 to RM200,” Penoi told The Malaysian Insight, adding that her four children also help her in the landfill.

But all that is gone now after the Pahang Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) said it’s closing the landfill with immediate effect.

From now on, the landfill will be strictly only for designated operators and rubbish lorries.

The decision was made yesterday after a visit to the site by SWCorp and National Unity Minister P. Waytha Moorthy.

Their visit follows a recent expose by photojournalist, S.C. Shekar who documented the Orang Asli villagers in Kg Bukit Biru working at the landfill in Jalan Bukit Ibam.

For Penoi and the 22 Orang Asli families living in the neighbourhood, this is yet another setback after they were chased out of the jungles because of land clearing.

Penoi said she can’t go back to Kg Simpai, as it is too far and the family are now settled in Bandar Muadzam Shah.

The Malaysian Insight tried to approach other Orang Asli villagers in Bukit Ibam but they refused to speak to the media after their plight was exposed.

Some said several “VIPs” visited them and promised to look after their wellbeing after The Malaysian Insight published Sekhar’s photographs.

Waytha Moorthy, meanwhile, promised to look into the Orang Asli’s plight.

The minister told the villagers in an open-door discussion that his ministry will hold talks with the Department of Orang Asli (Jakoa) to find ways to create a sustainable source of income for them.

“Working at the landfill is not safe and it is hazardous. It is not a place for kids to play around, too.

“My ministry will hold talks with Jakoa to find a solution to create a better economic system for the Orang Asli. We will find ways.”

The Orang Asli told the minister that they need clean water and electricity.

“Jakoa will provide water tanks weekly. For electricity, we will provide solar panels temporarily,” he said.

Waytha Moorthy will also liaise with the land office in Muadzam Shah to look into the status of the land in Kg Bukit Biru.

There are about 22 Orang Asli families living in Kg Bukit Biru and Bukit Ibam. Some have been scavenging at the landfill for more than 10 years. – February 19, 2020.