Bin backlog: Residents in Subang Jaya, Selangor have complained that waste management schedules are not being adhered to. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
They say disruption continues even after new contracts signed with MBSJ, MBPJ while service provider cites transport, manpower challenges.
THE transition period between the signing of new waste management agreements has resulted in service disruptions in some areas of Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.
Residents said the problem started when KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd (KDEBWM), a Selangor state-owned domestic waste collection and public cleansing service provider, renewed contracts with local authorities.
Eileen Thong from SS20, Petaling Jaya said there had been numerous complaints about the inconsistent collection of domestic and garden waste in her area since November last year.
“We have highlighted our grievances to MBPJ zone 9 councillor Yip Sean Li, who said she is monitoring the situation.”
A KDEB Waste Mangement lorry making its rubbish collection rounds in a Subang Jaya residential area. — Photos: AZHAR MAHFOF, courtesy and filepic
Thayakugan Rajendram from Section 22, Petaling Jaya, however, said the rubbish collection in his area had been inconsistent even before the contract renewal.
“I was told that this is also due to frequent breakdowns of rubbish lorries, forcing KDEBWM to bring in lorries from other areas, causing delays.
“Sometimes, rubbish would be left uncollected for one day.
“Garden waste, which is stipulated to be collected every Wednesday, is also sometimes left unattended.”
The new seven-year contract between Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and KDEBWM, from Nov 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2032, will cost the council RM67.9mil per year, which is a 13.51% increase from the previous contract.
Yip urged residents to lodge formal complaints through the Public Complaints Management System (Sispaa) whenever there are delays in rubbish collection.
“This enables the authorities to impose penalties on KDEBWM and strengthen overall enforcement and accountability,” she said.
Mike Chong said Puchong Hartamas 1, where he lives, had also been facing inconsistencies in rubbish collection.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon (centre, in red tie) during a handover ceremony for new KDEBWM lorries in November last year.
“While we were promised collection on alternate days, sometimes we are seeing delays where rubbish is left uncollected for more than four days.
“This backlog not only creates an eyesore, but also raises hygiene concerns,” he said.
USJ3 resident Natalie Chan noted lorries had not been coming as often as before.
Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) renewed its contract with KDEBWM on Dec 18 last year.
The new seven-year agreement will run from Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2033.
The contract will cost MBSJ RM82.9mil annually, which is an increase from the RM73.3mil per year under the previous agreement.
Waste challenges
KDEBWM managing director Datuk Ramli Mohd Tahir said several issues, including new contractors being unfamiliar with rubbish collection routes as well as lorry and driver woes had contributed to the problem.
Ramli said thousands of companies would participate every time an open tender was called when KDEBWM was due to renew its contracts with 12 local councils in Selangor.
“Some of these companies may not have experience collecting rubbish in certain areas.
“Lorry drivers would need some time to familiarise themselves with the routes, which could lead to disruptions in the collection schedules,” he said.
Ramli also said many of KDEBWM’s lorries had sustained damage after being “overused”.
“Waste management is a 365-day business. Every lorry goes in and out from households to landfills every day without a break.
“We invest in new lorries every time our contracts are renewed.
“This is to ensure that taxpayers can enjoy high-quality services,” he said.
When asked whether lorries which are in bad condition can be replaced even if not stipulated in the contract, Ramli said KDEBWM did not have the budget to do so.
“We did try to apply for additional funding from the state for this purpose, but so far we haven’t obtained any,” he said.
Ramli says KDEBWM does not have the budget to hire back-up drivers, so when one falls sick, rubbish collection is disrupted.
Transport issues
Ramli also pointed out bad road conditions in the Jeram and Tanjung Dua Belas sanitary landfills, where KDEBWM sends the rubbish to, have damaged lorries and disrupted waste collection schedules.
“The terrible conditions in these roads could puncture the tyres and damage the absorbers, costing us millions to repair them.
“Our lorries had also been stuck in potholes filled with rainwater during the monsoon season at the end of last year.
“The landfills are also not equipped with enough machines to process the rubbish.
“When some of the machines break down, it will cause a three to four-hour delay as the lorries wait their turn.
“This would disrupt the rubbish collection at households,” he said.
He also raised the issue of delayed permits by the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) for some KDEBWM lorries, which led to a shortage in vehicles.
“In Subang Jaya, only six out of 77 of our new compactor lorries have been granted the permit,” he said during an interview at KDEBWM’s head office in Shah Alam on Jan 13.
However, by Jan 30, Ramli confirmed that KDEBWM’s permit applications for the remaining lorries in Subang Jaya had been approved.
“The next steps are to obtain endorsement from the Road Transport Department (JPJ), issue vehicle insurance and pay road tax before proceeding with the vehicle handover session, which is expected to be conducted in early February,” he said.
KDEBWM is facing a shortage of drivers for its lorries, and some are urging for foreigners to be hired to fill the gap.
Lorry driver shortage
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, who is also KDEBWM board of directors chairman, was reported to have said that it was facing a shortage of lorry drivers, stating that the issue was “being resolved” without specifying the measures.
Acknowledging the problem, Ramli said KDEBWM did not have the budget for back-up drivers, making its crew very tight.
“We currently have 1,500 lorries, so we need 1,500 drivers.
“However, we don’t have enough budget to hire back-up drivers.
“Hence, when even one driver falls sick, rubbish collection will be disrupted.”
He pointed out that KDEBWM was being paid among the lowest rates by local councils in the country.
“In Kuala Lumpur, waste management concessionaires receive about RM14.80 per month per household, but KDEBWM only receives about RM7 per month per household.
“We did discuss with local councils for an increase, but some of them are not in a financial position to do so.
“Nevertheless, MBPJ and MBSJ did offer higher rates in the latest contracts, but it is still insufficient to cover our labour costs which have increased by about 88% since 2016,” he said.
Foreigners are not allowed to hold a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, prohibiting them from driving any commercial vehicles, including lorries.
Puchong resident Chong said this regulation should be reviewed pragmatically as waste management is a critical public service.
“It is difficult to find locals who are willing to work as lorry drivers for KDEBWM.
“If foreign nationals go through the process and pass a stringent on-the-road tests, then they should be allowed to drive the lorries.
“We cannot let rigid regulations paralyse an essential public service,” he said.
