Council: Those that failed to comply with green policy have fulfilled ruling when revisited

Maimunah (with tudung) leading the residents in throwing recyclable items into the recycle bins at Desa Permata in George Town, Penang. Joining her are Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh (on her left), Yeoh (on her right) and Yew (in yellow and white shirt).

NO compounds have been issued to joint management bodies and management committees of high-rise residential buildings since the enforcement period for the waste segregation at source policy started on Sept 1.

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Urban Services director Mubarak Junus said officers visited 224 high-rise schemes and 88 failed to comply with the requirements set by the council.

“We issued notices to them, asking them to provide the residents with facilities for recycling and wet waste, and to notify residents of the policy.

“Ten out of the 88 schemes we revisited last week met our requirements; so no RM250 fines have been issued so far,” he told a press conference after launching the Paya Terubong segregation at source policy in Desa Permata recently.

Mubarak added that the council would continue to visit management bodies to ensure everyone adhere to the state policy.

MBPP mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif aimed to make Penang the cleanest city in Malaysia by June next year.

She said Penang was currently third in the ranking of cleanest city in Malaysia after Kuala Terengganu and Ipoh.

“We hope to become the cleanest city in the country. In order for this to come true, the people and all council staff must change their mentality and work as a team,” she added.

Maimunah said she would be introducing a new initiative called ‘Sustainable neighbourhood’ (Taman Mampan) or ‘Sustainable community’ (Komuniti Mampan) to encourage community involvement.

She also urged the public to reduce organic waste, which is 40% of all waste in the Pulau Burong landfill.

“The council has to spend about RM5.3mil a year to send waste to the landfill. If we can reduce the amount by 50%, we can save more than RM2mil and that amount can be used on improving the island’s infrastructure.

“The 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – are important elements in recycling but another ‘R’, which is ‘rethink’, should be added.

“Think before you buy and also before you refill your plates during meals. Only get what you can finish,” she said.

Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin, who was also present, said Penang was once known as Darul Sampah but the situation has changed.

“After the state government imposed the segregation at source policy, the people’s attitude changed. Now, Penang is one of the cleanest states in the country.

“Recycling can also be a source of income and people should convert their trash to cash.”

Present were MBPP secretary Yew Tung Seang, MBPP Enginee-ring Department director Addnan Mohd Razali and councillors D.R. Kala and Syerleena Abdul Rashid.