KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 9 -- Illegal dumping sites are becoming increasingly common across the capital, with dozens of new rubbish piles appearing in back lanes, on empty lots and along road shoulders despite repeated warnings.

According to a report by The Star, a senior officer from the Kuala Lumpur Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) said the number of hotspots has climbed to 56, with the figure continuing to grow.

The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said domestic waste is collected twice a week, while bulk items, recyclables and garden cuttings are picked up once weekly - yet many still choose to leave discarded furniture and other refuse by the roadside.

"They would rather leave an old mattress...