Rubbish hotspots are cleaner now, thanks to CCTVs

Rubbish disposed of illegally at Jalan Permai in Kampung Sanglang, Nibong Tebal.

INDISCRIMINATE littering and rubbish dumping at several hotspots in Nibong Tebal on mainland Penang have greatly reduced after the installation of five closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

Jawi assemblyman Jason H’ng said after the CCTVs were installed, the situation improved significantly as people were aware that their irresponsible act would be caught on the cameras.

A CCTV screengrab of the reduced amount of rubbish thrown at the same site.

“People have started disposing of their rubbish properly and responsibly.

“Before the CCTVs were installed, rubbish was all over the place at several hotspots here. Some people did not dispose of their rubbish

into the bins provided but instead, threw them on the streets.

“There were some contractors appointed by factories who dumped their factory and industrial waste in the bins as they wanted to save the hassle of sending the rubbish to the Pulau Burung landfill.

“Therefore, I initiated a test run by setting up a CCTV near the bin along Jalan Victoria a few months ago. We also put up awareness banners to alert the public.

“After the CCTV was placed there, the public started throwing their domestic waste into the bin obediently,” he said.

H’ng, however, said there were still some people unwilling to follow the rules.

“They claim that they do not know what they should do.

“We understand that it is hard to monitor all day long.

“By installing the CCTVs, people are more aware and do not randomly throw their rubbish everywhere,” he said in a recent interview.

H’ng added that after his test run was found to be effective, he placed CCTVs at four other hotspots at Taman Terkukur Indah flats, Bukit Panchor public market, Jalan Bukit Panchor in Kampung Station and Jalan Permai in Kampung Sanglang.

“We installed the CCTVs at these areas early this month and a lot of changes can be seen.

“If we identify any offender, we will send the video recording along with their car number plate to the Seberang Prai City Council enforcement team for action to be taken.

“Offenders can be prosecuted under the council’s Garbage Collection and Disposal By-law (MBSP) 1994 for illegal dumping for RM500 and RM1,000 under Section 74 of the Local Government Act,” he said.