KUNAK: The solid waste management concessionaire has carried out cleaning and waste collection works across several areas and locations around Kunak town.
This follows public complaints that went viral on social media on Tuesday regarding piles of waste left abandoned for several days, which adversely affected the local environment.
Assistant Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Dato Sri Anil Sandhu, who is also Kunak Assemblyman, said he has been in contact with the District Council, the concessionaire and company staff to take immediate steps to clean the areas and ensure solid waste is transported to the landfill site as soon as possible.
“I have instructed the concessionaire’s workers to ensure that areas polluted by odours and uncollected rubbish are addressed immediately. I understand that those areas were cleaned on Tuesday, and they have sent photos and video recordings of the cleaning works,” he said.
He expressed his hope that the community would exercise collective responsibility to ensure the environment, particularly Kunak town and residential areas, remains clean by disposing of waste into the provided bins.
Previously, images had gone viral on Facebook showing large amounts of uncollected rubbish piled behind the Bataras and Sedcovest supermarket buildings, affecting the surrounding area.
“The responsibility for maintaining cleanliness does not rest solely on the shoulders of the District Council and the concessionaire; the public also has a role to play in ensuring our environment is clean and comfortable,” said Anil.
Currently, ro-ro (roll-on roll-off) skips have been placed at the Boheyan Plaza building, Kunak Plaza, Sapang, PPR Sri Pangkalan, the Jalan Jaya Baru General Market, the Fish Market Jetty and several other locations to accommodate the increased volume of solid waste during the festive season.
Meanwhile, Kunak District Council Executive Officer Mohd Nazri Pintal confirmed the removal of uncollected waste piles behind the Sedcovest building, Bataras Supermarket at Maganting Plaza, Kunak Plaza and the Sedco commercial buildings in Kunak town.
It is understood that the delay in waste collection was caused by a breakdown of the compactor truck.
