Issues (Malaysia) : Free garbage collection stays

MALACCA: Garbage collection will remain free under the federal takeover of solid waste management next year.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said charges would only be levied after parties involved in the exercise were fully-equipped for the task entrusted to them.

They would need good garbage collection vehicles, effective recycling facilities and enough manpower to run the service.

"When all these are available, the government will introduce a polluters pay concept. This is a concept where charges are imposed on excessive garbage disposal," he said.

Ong said it was too early to discuss the issue of charges as the project was still on the drawing board.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had announced on Friday that the government had decided to streamline solid waste management services nationwide under a single entity.

"I would like to clarify that there will be no extra charges for solid waste management next year," Ong said after closing the World Chinese Debate Tournament at Multimedia University, Bukit Beruang, yesterday.

Ong said consumers were currently paying for solid waste management through assessment rates.In Ipoh, State Housing, Local Government and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the takeover will allow local authorities to concentrate on other issues affecting the people.

He said garbage collection had so far involved a lot of workers and resources.

"With the takeover, local authorities can concentrate on other issues," Chang said after opening a cleanliness campaign in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year.

"The councils will, however, still be required to monitor the collection of solid wastes.

"He said the takeover would be on an interim basis for a year after which an agreement would be signed between the federal government and concessionaires.

For the northern region of the country, E-idaman would take over solid waste management.

Chang said local authorities would have to pay a certain sum to a fund to be set up by the federal government for garbage collection.The cost has to be worked out as local authorities have to deduct the administrative expenditure.

Citing the Ipoh City Council as an example, he said it had to spend RM47,300 on collecting between 550 and 600 metric tonnes of garbage daily.

On the RM100 million garbage disposal site in Lahat to replace the existing Bercham dump, he hoped the federal government will speed up construction activities.The 200ha dumpsite will serve Ipoh City, Kinta Barat, Kinta Selatan and Perak Tengah local councils.