KUALA LUMPUR: Homeless people will be hired to help maintain cleanliness in the Federal Territories, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) said that there had been discussions between the Federal Territories Department (JWP) and the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) on the initiative.
"JWP is in discussions with SWCorp to empower the homeless by transforming them into a resource for maintaining cleanliness in the Federal Territories,” she said in a written reply to P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Feb 5).
Prabakaran had asked the minister to explain the measures taken by JWP to improve waste management and curb illegal dumping in high-traffic tourist areas, city centres and drainage systems.
Zaliha outlined several initiatives implemented to tackle waste management challenges, including increasing waste collection in city centres through SWCorp and Alam Flora.
She said Waste-Free Zones were introduced, enforcing a maximum fine of RM500 for littering offences and increasing cleaning frequency to up to three times within 24 hours.
"JWP has rolled out the Bersih Setiap Tempat programme across all parliamentary constituencies in the Federal Territories.
"This campaign aims to enhance cleanliness, civic awareness and a shared sense of responsibility among Federal Territories residents,” she said.
Zaliha also said that 2,000 artificial intelligence-powered closed-circuit television cameras were installed to detect illegal waste dumping.
"The Anti-Litter Op has resulted in 2,457 fines issued in 2024 under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).
"City Hall will launch the Kuala Lumpur Zero Waste 2040 Roadmap, which targets a 60 per cent reduction in waste sent to landfills by 2040.
"This reflects JWP's continued commitment, along with its agencies, to ensure that waste management is at its highest standards," she added.
