Minions ‘invade’ George Town

One of the minion figurines at the park. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

DISCARDED objects and materials were put to good use at the Jesselton pocket park in Penang.

One can easily spot nine minions made from recycled materials such as tyres and plastic bottles at the newly decorated public park touted as Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) first upcycle project in public.

Council’s Urban Services Department deputy director Xavier Sebastian said his special team comprising about 10 people had been creating high quality products or adding value to the items by using discarded objects or materials.

“The Special Action Force members have been decorating the park with recycled items during their time on weekends and after working hours.

“It took them around one month to complete the project as we only do it after work or during our leisure time.

“Our mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang has always been encouraging staff members to be innovative.

“We used all kinds of recycled items like tyres and plastic bottles.

“Upcycling takes waste and creates something new from it.

“It is also an effort by MBPP to ‘give life’ to discarded items.

“By doing so, we are reducing waste at our dumping grounds.

“We use our Sungai Pinang store and workshop as our base and we have started an upcycle park at our store, ” he said when met at the Jesselton pocket park, located at the junction of Jalan Utama and Persiaran Kuari in George Town.

Xavier welcomed the public, including students, who are interested to join them.

“We hope that in our future projects, we can cooperate with other MBPP departments.

“Besides, we are initiating urban farming at all 18 MBPP roll call centres on the island, ” he said.

MBPP Urban Services Department overseer Nizuar Nordin, who is the person behind the creations, said they would do different themes for different pocket parks.

“We hope to extend the project to all pocket parks on the island, some backlanes and bicycle lanes.

“We decided to go with the ‘minions’ theme as these creatures are loved by children and adults.

“We urge the public not to vandalise or spoil the upcycle items in the parks, ” he said.