RISING global fuel prices are placing severe strain on waste collection services across Selangor, prompting the state government to seek federal subsidies and additional funding to prevent operational disruptions.
State local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said Selangor had applied to the Federal Government to include state-owned waste collection provider KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) under the national diesel subsidy mechanism.
The state is also evaluating extra financial assistance for KDEBWM, over and above the RM15mil allocated earlier this year.
“We are mulling providing additional funds to KDEBWM to ensure waste collection services can continue without interruption,” Suee Lim told the Selangor State Assembly at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor, Shah Alam, yesterday.
He said the move was necessary as solid waste management accounted for roughly 40% of local authorities’ annual expenditure.
Responding to a query from Michelle Ng Mei Sze (PH-Subang Jaya) regarding strategies to manage rising operational costs amid volatile fuel markets, Suee Lim clarified that recent service delays were transitional rather than systemic.
He said hiccups typically occurred when new contractors took over routes or face administrative delays in securing vehicle permits from Land Public Transport Agency (Apad).
Addressing illegal dumping concerns raised by Datuk Dr Ab Halim Tamuri (PN-Paya Jaras), who advocated setting up larger communal collection points in traditional villages, Suee Lim encouraged local authorities to instal closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at hotspot locations to strengthen enforcement.
He said waste volumes in many of these areas were higher because they contained numerous commercial premises, such as restaurants and homestays, while many houses in traditional villages had been subdivided into multiple rental units.
“This results in more occupants within neighbourhoods.
“To better gauge the amount of waste generated, we will consider carrying out a census to obtain a more accurate estimate of the number of residents in such areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Danial Al-Rashid Haron Aminar Rashid (PH-Batu Tiga) suggested issuing conditional licences to small traders in traditional villages to regulate business operations and streamline waste collection.
