Cause for concern: Asmadi said the scattering of garbage often occurs during weekends or school holidays because most of the traders and tourists dump rubbish from their moving vehicles. — Bernama
PULAU PANGKOR: The attitude of some food stall operators and tourists in throwing rubbish outside the rubbish bins provided by the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) has caused the surrounding areas in Teluk Nipah here to be dotted with garbage.
A resident, Asmadi Teh, 58, from Kampung Teluk Kechil, said the scattering of garbage often occurs during weekends or school holidays because most of the traders and tourists dump rubbish from their moving vehicles.
She said the rubbish thrown would eventually be scattered by wild dogs, wild boars or even monkeys scavenging for food.
“I hope traders and tourists will realise that their unbecoming behaviour is making Pangkor a dirty island and it will reflect on them. As a resident here, I am disappointed with the attitude of the folk who don’t seem to care about cleanliness and environment, ” she said yesterday.
Another resident, Intan Najiha Sekri, 25, from Pasir Bogak, said the “arm roll” rubbish bins provided along the main roads are an eyesore and should be placed far away.
“I’m embarrassed to read about the rubbish problem on Facebook posted by foreign tourists because in reality, it is not as bad as it seemed, ” she said.
MPM president Syamsul Hazeman Md Salleh, when contacted, said his department would launch a “Lapor Pelaku” (report the culprit) campaign this month where those with information or video and photo proof could lodge a report to his department for compounds to be issued.
“The personal details of the complainant will be kept confidential and they will be rewarded with a token of appreciation. We will track down the irresponsible people who throw rubbish at will, ” he said.
Syamsul Hazeman said his department has applied for an allocation from the Housing and Local Government Ministry to install CCTVs in tourist hotspots.
“The issue of rubbish in Pulau Pangkor is not critical and we have had several discussions with traders and reminded them on the importance of maintaining cleanliness on the island, ” he said.
“It is embarrassing when tourists post about the rubbish issue on social media, thereby giving a negative impression of Pangkor island being filthy and poorly managed.”
Meanwhile, Perak housing, local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said MPM conducted garbage collection twice a day in the area.
“In Pulau Pangkor, we agree there were more tourists after the conditional MCO was lifted.
“So I hope that tourists, traders and residents will play their role to ensure the cleanliness of the island and in Perak, ” she said in a WhatsApp message.
Earlier, a 27-second video that went viral on Facebook showed a couple of foreign tourists telling off some visitors on Pulau Pangkor for throwing garbage outside the bins provided by the authorities. — Bernama
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