IPOH: Perak’s housing and local government committee chairman has welcomed talks on the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act (Act 672) at the federal level, stating that the state government is open to discussions to ensure the best services are provided.
“The state government has an open stance. We are ready to listen and talk to ensure whatever decision is made, it will guarantee the interest of the state and make sure the best services are provided,” state exco member Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said after launching the Ipoh Landscape Master Plan, and Infrastructure and Traffic Management Planning Master Plan at the Ipoh Convention Centre here yesterday.
Act 672, which was enacted to regulate the management of controlled solid waste and public cleansing, will see the separation of solid waste at the source into recyclables and non-recyclables.
It is currently used in Pahang, Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Perlis, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
On Sunday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said Selangor had agreed, in principle, to adopt the Act, and the ministry welcomed negotiations with Perak.
Ng said the state would take into account the experiences from other states that have adopted the Act.
“In any case, if the state decides to adopt the Act, we will ensure that certain terms will be taken into account to suit the state and that we will make the necessary improvements accordingly.”
On the traffic congestion problem in the city centre, particularly at tourist spots during the weekends and holidays, Ng said plans to address the issue, including engaging professional consultants to research traffic problems and propose solutions are in the pipeline.
“We do not want Ipoh to be known as a congested place. This could deter people from visiting,” she said.
Ng said one of the factors that contributed to the jam was traffic lights.
Taking the adjacent Tambun town as an example, she said the flow of vehicles has improved after the traffic lights were removed and replaced with u-turns.
“Despite motorists having to drive a little further to make a turn, the traffic is constantly moving.
“We will see if the same system can be applied in the city centre,” she added.
