Keep your butts in the car. Cigarette butts are one of the most common litter items that are deliberately tossed from vehicles. It can take many years for cigarette butts to decompose, and when it rains, the toxic chemicals in cigarettes make their way into our water supply.
– https://donttrashaz.org
I received two messages in my WhatsApp messaging app early last week. Both were on the littering issue in Kuching. Honestly, the issue threatens to become part of our lives – that is, if society doesn’t change its attitude for the better, and the local councils continue to adopt a lax attitude.
The writers clearly explained the predicament that they are going through and I thought it would be good to touch on the littering problem today.
There are three possible reasons for this problem. One, it’s widespread apathy; two, people find it very convenient; and three, the absence or lack of waste disposal facilities in their locality.
I am particularly disappointed with the attitude of some residents in Batu Kawa where I am staying. In fact the issue of litterbugs and illegal dumpers is nothing new – the problem has been around ever since I moved to the area more than 20 years ago. The problem has become more serious as new housing estates have emerged.
To say waste disposal facilities are lacking in Batu Kawa is not true – there are plenty of them around. What is obvious is the residents’ couldn’t-care-less or tidak apa attitude which is sickening.
I have come across adults disposing of cigarette butts and used tissues, and children discarding food wrappers on the ground even when there are rubbish bins nearby.
Looks like no amount of education or the regular awareness anti-litter drives seem to be working. I think the council people must be at their wits end!
My neighbour, who happened to be from my hometown Sibu, reminded me of an effective, though unorthodox way, to resolve the problem once and for all.
“I think councils in Kuching should adopt the late Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman (Datuk) Robert Lau’s sure-to-work methods to deal with the litterbugs. During his time, housing estates and areas under SMC’s jurisdiction were known to be very clean.
“Hopefully councils could emulate Robert’s harsh methods,” said the neighbour.
So, what were Lau’s sure-to-work methods?
The late Lau was a very reasonable politician but when circumstances drove him up the wall, he would act tough to get things done.
He had been trying to get residents to put a stop to littering and illegal dumping but his numerous appeals fell on deaf ears. Though roro bins were supplied to every house, it was not uncommon to see rubbish scattered around the bins.
The chairman then decided to unofficially hire tough guys to drive home the message – the hard way. These guys would make their rounds early in the morning and if they came across rubbish that was not properly disposed of, would pick up the waste and throw it into the owner’s house compound.
Believe it or not, in less than a week, it was said, the residents toed the line and the problem was resolved.
There were even stories of these toughies forcing the residents to pick up the litters and scattered rubbish by themselves. Sounds high-handed, but it worked.
Perhaps, councils in Kuching and other parts of Sarawak should adopt the late Lau’s methods. Harsh and high-handed maybe, but it sure did work for Sibu and it should work here in Kuching too.
Like they say, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. How about it Datuk Seri Dr Sim Khui Hian? Who knows, the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government might consider similar methods if the people continue to be adamant!
Early last year, Dr Sim earnestly appealed to residents, especially in Batu Kawa, to stop littering and dumping rubbish indiscriminately, saying the “jungle mentally” must go.
Taking Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) as an example, he said it spent nearly RM10 million of its RM47 million annual budget on waste management and cleaning up the areas under its jurisdiction.
“As we become prosperous and advanced, we have to keep up with international standards. We don’t want people to throw things everywhere, as if we have no class. People will laugh at us. We need to improve and be more civic-minded,” he lamented.
But are the people listening?
If the people remain nonchalant and refuse to change their habits, it’s about time the local authorities considered long-term community service. Enforcing on-the-spot community service to pick up litter in full view of the public could also serve as a lesson to others and cultivate civic-mindedness.
Compounding them is not effective as the compounds are not high. Dragging them to court is a waste of time.
Looking at Singapore, the anti-littering enforcement there is very effective as the fines are very high, unlike in our country where offenders have no qualms forking out RM50 or RM100.
In Singapore, anyone who litters and is convicted can be fined up to S$2,000 (RM6,615).
So, if our authorities are serious, they should amend the laws to increase the penalties. But I still think a week or a month’s community service in full view of the public is enough to do the trick in Sarawak.
Our local councils should encourage its officers to go undercover to catch the culprits.
The public should also do their part by channelling complaints to the councils. It will be easier for the enforcement officers if the people take down details of the offence – giving the location of the offence and registration number of the vehicle, and providing photos.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
