KUCHING: About 100-200 tonnes of bulky and mixed waste are being dumped illegally near residential and commercial areas under the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP)’s jurisdiction.
The waste consists of old furniture, carton boxes, plastics, discarded food, scrap tyres, old appliances, construction debris, garden waste and many other things.
MPP and Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd remind the public to stop dumping their waste illegally at random and obscure locations.
The irresponsible act not only puts public health at risk but is also expensive and requires laborious work to clear the waste.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the issue was serious and difficult to eradicate without the public’s cooperation.
“This problem is exceptionally ‘chronic’ at Jalan Kangkok, Kuching City Mall, the access road to Kompleks Perumahan Awam Kementerian Pertahanan Malaysia Cawangan Sarawak (6th Mile, off Jalan Penrissen), Jalan Ensing Timur and Kampung Sungai of Jalan Segubang/Sejijak.
“The clearing process takes time, energy and money. Last year alone, we spent about RM97,000 on clearing illegal dumping spots as we need to bring in the machineries, backhoes, lorries and so on.
“The council has spent a lot of unnecessary resources to eradicate the problem when they can be better used to improve other public facilities such as drains or roads,” he added.
He also stressed that cleanliness was a shared responsibility and the public should take ownership of their rubbish and dispose of their waste more responsibly by using their household bins or available bin centres.
Meanwhile, Trieneken’s Division Head for Logistics and Services Lee Ghee Seng informed that the company would continue to work with local councils to create awareness about the dangers of illegal dumping.
“It may seem like an easy and convenient thing to do but the long-term impacts on the environment and human health are harmful.
“If the public have excessive or bulky waste to dispose of, the waste can be disposed of at the nearest designated bin centres. For those who have renovation waste, larger containers such as the RoRo containers are also available for rent. This way, the waste can be disposed of in a cleaner and safer manner.”
Illegal dumping is an offence under the National Resources Environment Board Ordinance and is punishable by law. Anyone caught dumping illegally will be charged under Section 30(1) (a & b) with a maximum penalty of RM20,000.
Residents are advised to contact MPP at 082-615566 or Trienekens at 082-612300 should there be any incidences of illegal dumping.
