Going after errant polluters

Rozali (second left) presenting the cash prize and certificate to Rosli on behalf of Kampung Baru Alma which was declared champion in the village category of the competition.

SEBERANG Prai City Council (MBSP) will not hesitate to implement the ‘polluters pay’ policy on any industrial sector that generates more than 5% of waste next year.

MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said the implementation of the policy would involve a certain amount of fines, which have to be paid by the industrial sector that has breached the limit of waste generated.

“We have warned several industries that we identified last August and we hope they will take seriously our aspiration to lower waste in Seberang Prai by 2021.

“If the increase in industrial waste cannot be controlled, MBSP will have to impose certain fines if they violate the rules.

“If no action is taken and waste continues to be generated by industries in Seberang Prai, the landfill site may not be available for use by 2030.

“We will not be able to find a new place for our landfill when the time comes due to scarcity of land in the state, ” he told reporters after the prize-giving ceremony for the MBSP Cleanest Residential Parks and Villages Competition at the MBSP headquarters in Bukit Mertajam on Penang mainland recently.

Rozali said overall, the trend of generated waste had shown an increase of 15% in 2019 compared to only 5% from the previous year.

He said the increase was caused by waste that was generated by the industrial sector in Seberang Prai.

“It should not have increased more than 5% as domestic waste has shown a horizontal trend in 2019.

“MBSP aims to reduce the waste production per capita by 50% come 2022 from 1.6 kg to 0.8 kg per resident per day.

Rozali (in grey) with winners of the MBSP Cleanest Residential Parks and Villages Competition at the MBSP headquarters in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

“However, if you look at the overall increase in garbage production, it should not exceed 5% as the population increase is only around 2.3%, ” he said.

Earlier, Rozali presented prizes to winners of the competition.

Taman Orkid Permai in Kepala Batas emerged as the winner in the cleanest residential park category, while Kampung Baru Alma came out first in the cleanest village category.

Rozali said the competition organised by the council was meant to increase awareness in cleanliness through community engagement.

“The programme creates a close relationship between the community and MBSP in increasing the level of cleanliness in certain neighbourhoods.

“It can also enhance sustainable and quality living for residents in the area, ” he said.

Taman Orkid Permai Village Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman Osman Ayub said he felt proud when his

neighbourhood was announced as the winner in the competition.

“The residents gave their full cooperation in making this happen. I owe this victory to all of them, ” he said.

Kampung Baru Alma MPKK secretary Rosli Putih echoed a similar view and expressed hope that other villages in Penang would make more effort in ensuring that their neighbourhood is clean and have a conducive environment to live in.

“It is important to be able to live in a clean environment. It will not only benefit our health but also make the place better, ” he said.

The first-prize winner of each category took home RM1,500, upcycled products worth RM350 and a certificate.

Meanwhile, the second, third and fourth-prize winners received RM1,000, RM700 and RM300 respectively for each category, upcycled products worth between RM150 and RM300 as well as certificates.