IPOH: For the fifth time in the last five years, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) has cleared out a house overflowing with clutter.
In the latest clear-up on Thursday (June 19), MBI had to use three five-tonne lorries to collect the rubbish.
The operation that started at 9am Thursday saw a total of 26 council personnel, and nine Social Welfare Department officers and volunteers involved in the clearing works.
The Star has reported before that the woman, who is in her 70s, lives with her husband who is believed to be suffering from Parkinson’s disease in a single-storey house on Jalan Merpati in Ipoh Garden.
Ipoh mayor Zamakshari Hanipah said since 2020, the council had conducted five operations at the house.
He said two court actions were also taken against the 71-year-old woman.
“However, she has continued the activity of collecting recyclable items, storing them in her yard, which has caused disturbance to the local community.
“For this operation, the department’s involvement was an added initiative aimed at finding a more effective and humane solution, particularly to assist the elderly individual in preventing further harm to the image of the surrounding area and the city as a whole,” he said in a statement Thursday.
Zamakshari added that the operation was carried out smoothly without any incidents.
He said the premises owner also fully cooperated with the operation team.
“Three lorries were used to dispose of the waste at a landfill site, while recyclable items were collected and sold with the help of department volunteers.
“The proceeds were handed over to the elderly individual as a form of welfare support,” he said.
He added that the council hoped that this integrated approach would serve as an example in holistically addressing social issues based on public complaints, through firm enforcement and compassionate welfare measures.
