16/07/2025

WEDNESDAY | JULY 16, 2025

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Solid waste contractors with poor service to be penalised KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will take firm action, including imposing penalties and terminating the services of solid waste management concessionaires that fail to fulfil their responsibilities. are crucial, not only at tourist destinations, but also in residential areas, as they directly impact the comfort and well-being of the people,“ he said in a statement on Monday. collection, road and drain cleaning, public area maintenance and grass cutting, through the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), via WhatsApp at 013-210 7472. Nga also expressed appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for highlighting the issue of clogged drains and garbage accumulation around Jalan Gallagher last Saturday.

Putrajaya, Johor, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Kedah. The implementation of the Act led to the appointment of private concessionaires such as Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, SWM Environment Sdn Bhd and Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd to handle waste collection and public cleaning in different regions. Over the years, recurring public complaints about inconsistent garbage collection, clogged drains and unkempt public areas have been frequently reported by local media and highlighted in local council meetings. – Bernama Site of newly found historic structure to be preserved MALACCA: The Malacca Museum Corporation has assured that the area where a historic structure was discovered, and believed to be part of the old Malacca Fort bastion situated in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation heritage site zone, will be preserved. General manager Erne Hamsah gave this assurance following the construction of a car park in front of Muzium Istana Malacca in Bandar Hilir, which was previously categorised as Taman Larangan (Forbidden Park). “Conservation work has already started with the appointment of conservators and archaeologists to carry out studies at the excavation site, while the parking lot construction, supervised by the Malacca Historic City Council, is being reorganised following the discovery of the historic structure. “We will indeed preserve (the site) because among the structures identified is the old bastion that is important in the history of Malacca’s defence. “We are also reviewing how the monument could be revealed to visitors without affecting the stability of the structure, seeing that there are many factors that need to be taken into account, including the environmental elements such as erosion and physical damage,” she said after the Warisan Santai Programme of the 17th Malacca World Heritage City anniversary celebration at Sekolah Kebangsaan Duyong, Hang Tuah Village here yesterday. The event, held in conjunction with the Duyong state constituency’s Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat programme, was officiated by Duyong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem. On the car park project being developed, Erne said only some of the alignments involved with the archaeological structures will be temporarily halted. Last month, Bernama reported that the excavation at the base of the Taman Larangan stairs, in front of the Malacca Sultanate Palace in Bandar Hilir, uncovered a structure believed to be part of the original fort, which was later buried beneath new fortifications built by the Portuguese and later upgraded by the Dutch and British during the colonial period. – Bernama

He also conducted a surprise inspection at the site on Monday to verify that the cleaning works had been carried out. The management of solid waste in Peninsular Malaysia is governed by the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), which covers seven states and federal territories including Kuala Lumpur,

“I have instructed SWCorp to carry out immediate cleaning works, including in hillside areas that fall outside the scheduled scope, as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he said. He added that a surprise inspection was also conducted in the area to ensure the cleaning efforts had been properly executed.

Nga stressed that concessionaires that do not meet service quality expectations, such as failing to collect waste on schedule or neglecting the agreed scope of work, will face strict consequences, including penalties and contract termination. He said residents in seven states governed under Act 672 can lodge complaints related to garbage

Minister Nga Kor Ming said all local authorities are urged to closely monitor cleanliness levels at their respective areas and ensure that concessionaires carry out solid waste collection efficiently and in accordance with the established schedule. “Solid waste management services

Clean-up initiative set to boost public participation

o With support of Tzu-Chi, 100,000 expected to be mobilised nationwide to enhance impact of mass gotong-royong , says minister

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is aiming to mobilise 100,000 participants nationwide for this year’s Malaysia Clean-Up Day, with the support of the Taiwan Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation Malaysia (Tzu-Chi) as a strategic partner. Minister Nga Kor Ming said Tzu-Chi’s involvement is expected to boost public participation and enhance the impact of the mass gotong-royong initiative, scheduled for Sept 27. “This collaboration aligns with our ‘Public-Private-People Partnership’ approach, which encourages joint efforts between the government and private sectors, NGOs and the community to deliver more comprehensive support. “With Tzu-Chi’s involvement, I am confident that public participation will be more widespread and impactful,” said Nga in a statement. Nga also said the ministry would

Nga (third from right) and the Tzu-Chi representatives with a mock cheque for the RM20,000. – PIC COURTESY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY

upgrading the existing road over a distance of 1.5km. The bridge, which has four two-way lanes, is expected to resolve the congestion problem on the existing bridge, especially during festive seasons. When completed, the bridge will provide significant benefits to the people, especially local residents. – Bernama and aid for vulnerable groups. Tzu-Chi expressed commitment to mobilise thousands of volunteers for the campaign, with a strong focus on civic education, community empowerment and environmental awareness. With over 34,000 volunteers nationwide, Tzu-Chi is actively involved in humanitarian aid and environmental sustainability initiatives. The organisation operates 810 recycling points and 218 full-scale recycling centres across the country that are open weekly. In 2024, it collected over 5.26 million kg of recyclable materials, made possible by the efforts of 40,527 volunteers throughout Malaysia.

initiatives and outreach efforts. The Tzu-Chi delegation made a courtesy visit to the ministry yesterday, aimed at strengthening strategic collaboration in community development, circular economy initiative and environmental sustainability. The delegation was led by Tzu-Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy CEO Puan Sri Tong Siew Bee, who was accompanied by Tzu-Chi volunteers Datuk Sri Yong Seng Yeow, Gan Yee Hin, Jee Say Loo, Loo Soon Eng and staff member Goh Suz Suz. During a meeting, the delegation briefed the minister on Tzu-Chi’s ongoing and upcoming community programmes, including welfare assistance, cleanliness campaigns

engage with environmental NGOs, including Tzu-Chi, and appoint them as strategic partners of the National Circular Economy Council for Solid Waste, in support of local authorities’ sustainability efforts. “The ministry remains committed and open to building collaborative networks with NGOs and local communities to advance sustainable urbanisation in line with the Madani vision. “We want to encourage NGOs of all backgrounds to take part in building a more sustainable and prosperous country for a greener future,” he said. As a symbol of support, Nga presented a RM20,000 contribution from his ministerial allocation to Tzu-Chi to help strengthen its

New bridge in Marang to be ready by January 2027 MARANG: The new Marang Bridge project across the Sungai Marang, on the Federal Route 3 (FT003) from Kuala Terengganu to Kuantan, is expected to be completed by January 2027. Dec 9, 2021 and its physical progress has reached 54.7% as of June 30. construction project here on Monday. He said the new bridge project, with a contract cost of RM338 million, involves a 2.5km stretch along the FT003 route from Kuala Terengganu to Kuantan, including the “This project received two ‘extensions of time’ (EOT) reportedly due to land acquisition issues, but these have been resolved. We have been assured by the contractor and officials that there will be no more EOTs,” he said after inspecting the progress of the new bridge construction of the 220m Sungai Marang Bridge, and a 680m flyover across Marang town, as well as Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said this new bridge project, implemented by the Public Works Department, began on