KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor expects to have at least two federal “weapons” in its enforcement arsenal by this time next year as part of its mission to clean up the state — including the power to impose fines 100 times higher on illegal waste dumpers.
State Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the state was adopting the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, which prescribes penalties of up to five years’ jail, a maximum RM100,000 fine, or both.
At present, enforcement against solid waste dumping in Selangor falls under the Local Government Act 1976, a 49-year-old law that limits the maximum fine to RM1,000, with an additional RM100 per day for each day the waste is not cleared.
“We have completed our due diligence with Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) and the Housing and Local Government Ministry,” Ng told the New Straits Times.
“We estimate that we can start using this law in the third quarter of next year. It will really strengthen our enforcement efforts. It will be quite the game changer.”
Ng was responding to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s rebuke of local councils over cleanliness.
He said the state government viewed the sultan’s remarks seriously and had summoned mayors, local council heads and KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd for a meeting on Monday to discuss short-term and long-term waste management measures.
Ng said he was also looking forward to amendments to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, expected to come into force on Jan 1, allowing local councils to impose up to 12 hours of community service on those caught littering.
“Under the amendments, anyone caught littering will have to do community service, pick up rubbish.
“So next year, the local councils will have this ‘weapon’,” he said.
Ng said some highly populated areas in Selangor could be littered again within just two hours of being cleaned.
Expanding on current challenges, Ng said KDEB Waste Management had been facing a shortage of drivers, while some waste disposal sites had been affected by flooding.
“This disrupted rubbish collection and disposal schedules.
“We apologise for the inconvenience. These issues are being resolved.”
Beyond waste disposal, Ng said the state was expanding its recycling programme, SELKitar. .
Up to October, 77 tonnes of recyclable materials had been collected by various local councils under the programme.
“Waste management is expensive. If we can reduce our waste, we can save on costs and help the environment,” said Ng.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
