Major roads in Pahang to get festive cleanup

Rubbish found strewn by the roadside in Pahang. — Filepic

AUTHORITIES are stepping up cleanup efforts at rubbish hotspots along major roads in Pahang in light of heavier traffic during the festive season.

State Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) director Sharudin Hamid said a gotong-royong would also be conducted.

“Every year, SWCorp will work with Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, Lipis District Council and Public Works Department (JKR) on such initiatives.

“This is in addition to placing bins and putting up signs at rubbish hotspots to warn the public against dumping,” he told StarMetro.

Sharudin was responding to a photo that went viral on social media showing rubbish strewn by the roadside near Padang Tengku in Kuala Lipis.

The road is believed to be used by those travelling from Kuala Lipis to Gua Musang in Kelantan.

The road saw increased traffic in recent days due to the balik kampung exodus to the east coast states for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Sharudin said checks also found that many motorists stopped by the roadside there.

The maintenance of the road is under JKR and Roadcare (M) Sdn Bhd, he said.

“SWCorp and Alam Flora are cleaning up the area as part of our corporate social responsibility initiative,” Sharudin said.

Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail was reported to have said local authorities were looking into short-term solutions to the problem.

“Maybe the local council and district office can figure out a way to reduce, if not solve, the issue,” Wan Rosdy was quoted as saying.

The viral photo also received the attention of Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

In a post on social media, he expressed disappointment and urged the public to be mindful of rubbish collectors’ welfare.

“We are already in the 21st century, yet there are still people who discard their rubbish by roadsides,” he wrote.

At an event in Ipoh, Nga called on the local councils to be strict in their enforcement.

“I have instructed all 155 local councils to levy fines on individuals caught littering in public areas, with no exceptions for discounts.”