Tag: Waste Removal

Selangor Sets-Up Garbage Disposal Task Force

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SELAYANG, July 24: Selangor has set-up a special task force to solve the waste disposal problem seeing that landfills in the state are almost full.

The committee, consisting of Selangor Excos, Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi and Elizabeth Wong, will study other methods of waste disposal such as using garbage incinerators which was a controversy some time ago.

Executive Councillor in charge of Local Government, Studies and Research, Datuk Teng Chang Khim said that the committee will conduct an extensive study on various strategies before making a final decision.

“In the context of Selangor, we will look at it from all aspects. The landfill method may no longer be used, except for existing ones,” he said in a press conference after meeting with the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) here recently.

He said that the Jeram landfill will be closed in 2016 and the State Government needs to decide whether to use a new method or to send solid waste to other sites such as Bukit Tagar.

However, said Teng, the method involves high costs.

“We will also hold dialogues with parties concerned about the environment before the State Government makes a decision,” he added.

Selangor Sultan Officiates RM4.1 Million Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque

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PETALING JAYA, July 17: DYMM (His Royal Highness) the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah officiated the Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque here in conjunction with the DYMM Sultan of Selangor with the People Fast Breaking Ceremony.

The mosque building was constructed by the MK Land Company at a cost of RM4.1 million and can accommodate a congregation of 5,000, and this mosque is also known as the Yellow Mosque because of its yellow dome.

Sultan Sharafuddin also named the mosque the Bandar Baru Sungai Buluh Mosque.

In the same occasion, the Sultan donated Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr) contributions to 302 Asnaf comprising of orphans, the poor-needy (fakir-miskin), new converts and Tahfiz students.

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Meanwhile, the Gapurna Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali in his speech said that the company has also contributed in terms of finance and material to upgrade the mosque.

“Among the upgrades include painting the walls of the mosque, repairing the ablution area and toilets, changing Kalimantan lights to floodlights for the pulpit, fixing and replacing the speaker system.

“Also fixed are helicopter fans at the main mosque area and the installation of additional tanks based on the list of priorities provided by the Mosque Committee,” he said.

Accompanying the Sultan of Selangor at the event was the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the State Government Secretary, Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi and the JAIS Director, Datuk Marzuki Husin.

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Teng: State Government Has Saved Over RM50 Million Annually by Collecting Garbage Directly

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SHAH ALAM, July 4: The State Government has managed to save more than RM53 million in cost annually when the Local Authorities in Selangor took over the garbage collection from Alam Flora Sdn Bhd (AFSB).

Local Government, Studies and Research Exco, Datuk Teng Chang Kim said that the method allows local authorities to manage the solid waste collection directly by appointing contractors that were formally sub-contractors appointed by AFSB.

“The saving recorded in a year was RM53,876,942.41; which is 11 local authorities recording a management cost of RM166,827,402.82 compared to when it was handled by AFSB which was RM220,704,345.23.

“By managing it themselves, the local authorities can monitor the handling of waster directly and the officers or staff of local authorities involved can learn and address the problem of solid waste management in their respective areas.”

Teng was responding to an oral question by Sekinchan Assemblyman, Ng Suee Lim during the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) session here today.

He said that among the proactive measures taken to ensure efficient garbage collection, local authorities have created a waste complaint hotline, a patrol squad and a Special Action Unit to perform back-up garbage collection.

Other actions include local authorities meeting with involved contractors directly, rezoning of operation areas and garbage collection twice a day in city areas.

Water Restructuring to Complete in Two Months

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SHAH ALAM, 2 July: The State Government expects for negotiations about the water management with the Federal Government to complete in two months.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that they have readied the agreement letter between the State Government and the Central Government regarding the negotiations.

“It was prepared based on the offer which has to be accepted in accordance with the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655).

“We are also optimistic about this matter as the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has stated his agreement for the water management restructuring in Selangor,” said Abdul Khalid in the Selangor State Assembly session today.

He was responding to a question from the Meru Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Rani Osman regarding the progress of the water management in Selangor.

Abdul Khalid also explained that through thorough preparation, the State Government will also set up a team of competent professionals to handle the water management in Selangor if the takeover process is successful.

“The management team will consist of executives from overseas who are qualified.”

The water industry restructuring process was initiated by the State Government last year in an effort to acquire the supply, treatment and distribution operations from four private companies.

The purpose of the restructuring is so that the people will receive efficient and affordable treated water supply.

The State Government has offered RM9.65 billion to acquire the four companies and so far, they have responded positively to the offer.

State Government Supports JAIS to Temporarily Close Religious Schools

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SHAH ALAM, June 26: The State Government fully supports the recommendations of the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to temporarily close religious schools in certain areas experiencing haze with Air Pollution Index (API) readings above 300.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that all State Religious Schools, schools that receive assistance (KAFA Integration) and private schools registered under JAIS are automatically required to shut down temporarily when the API exceeds 300.

Khalid said it is as directed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education.

For areas with API readings between 250 and 300, the school administration has to inform the department regarding the closure of schools.

“Schools in areas where the API is below 250 can still be open, by taking measures such as wearing masks, limiting outdoor activities and to immediately refer to a hospital if students and teachers experience health problems.

“All schools must comply with the guidelines issued from time to time by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as well as the Malaysian Ministry of Education, to close schools or to grant leave to teachers and students due to the haze,” said Abdul Khalid in a media statement.

CM: Hopes Schools Will Consider Student Attendance

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SHAH ALAM, June 25: Parents have been advised to consult with schools regarding the attendance of their children in several areas in Selangor which are still affected by dangerous and unhealthy haze levels.

In making the call, the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim expressed concern on the contaminated air levels exceeding 200 on the API which takes its toll on children and hopes that parents and teachers are able to reach a final decision.

“The power (to close schools) is in the hands of the ministry, so we do not want to close schools because teachers are involved.

“I hope that when the haze level reaches 200, parents will not send their children to school,” said Abdul Khalid when asked if the State Government will issue a orders to close schools.

The Ministry of Education has issued directive that schools will only be closed if the haze level exceeds 300 on the API, which is the “dangerous” level.

Currently, a number of areas in Selangor such as Kuala Selangor, Banting, and Shah Alam have recorded API levels exceeding 200, which is “very unhealthy”.

Port Klang has recorded 474 on the API, according to readings from the Department of Environment website.

Previously, the Environment Exco, Elizabeth Wong urged the Federal Government to allow for schools to close if the API levels exceed 150, an “unhealthy” level.

Khalid said that the Selangor Government will issue immediate provisions to each constituency to buy and distribute masks to the public.

SELESA Enactment, A Selangor State Assembly Reform Agenda

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SHAH ALAM, June 21: The combination of the new Speaker and her Deputy, Hannah Yeoh and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, are optimistic that the Selangor State Assembly Service Assembly Enactment (SELESA) will be successfully realised in this second term.

Hannah said that the implementation of the Bill is among the reformation agendas which are expected to bring about change and to improve the quality of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) sessions.

“We expect when the enactment is approved, we will provide more facilities to the DNS session.

“This includes providing more assistance to Assemblymen for them to carry out research better before an issue is debated.

“This will definitely make the quality of the debate better, hence benefiting the people,” said Hannah who is also the Subang Jaya Assemblywoman.

She said this in a press conference at the Annex Building of the State Secretariat Building soon after the Oath Swearing Ceremony this morning.

Nik Nazmi, who was also present at the press conference, explained that the SELESA enactment is important to be implemented so that an independent and professional administration team under the direction of the Speaker can be created.

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The enactment will divide the government power into three parts; the executive power under the Chief Minister, the judiciary body under the power of the Federal Government and state laws, and the legislative power to be fully under the DNS.

“When the DNS is free from the influence of the executive, monitoring and reviews of the administration can be carried out comprehensively without any restrictions and excessive bureaucracy,” said Nik Nazmi.

He added that the Bill is not a new practice because before it was abolished in 1992, the Parliament also had the Parliamentary Service Act which managed daily operations and financial management of the House of Representatives with interference from the executive.

The SELESA enactment was first drafted in 2009, and is now being studied in detail by the State Government Exco line-up as well as Selangor legal advisors.

56 Selangor State Assemblymen Takes Oath

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SHAH ALAM, June 21: Today, a total of 56 members of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) including 11 representatives from BN were officially sworn in before the start of the 13th session of the Selangor State Assembly (DNS) next Friday.

All 56 Assemblymen took the oath of allegiance to preserve, protect and uphold the Selangor State Body Laws front of the newly elected DNS Speaker, Hannah Yeoh.

The ceremony began with the oath swearing by the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, followed by three Selangor State Executive Councillors; Datuk Teng Chang Khim, Iskandar Samad and Rodziah Ismail.

It was followed by seven other Selangor Executive Councillors and then followed by assembly members from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Nasional (BN).

Earlier, the ceremony began with the Chief Minister’s proposal to put forward Hannah Yeoh’s name as the newly elected DNS Speaker followed by Teng nominating the Seri Setia Assemblyman, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad as the Deputy Speaker.

During the recent 13th General Election (GE-13), PR won in Selangor by acquiring more than two-thirds majority when they captured 44 out of the 56 DUN seats.

Curb Vandalism Scheme in 30 Low-Cost Flat Areas in 2014

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SHAH ALAM, June 19: A total of 30 low-cost apartment areas around the country will be selected to participate in the State Apartment Neighbourhood Safety Scheme (Seroja) for the year 2014.

The Exco for Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlers, Iskandar Samad said that the State Government has received a strong demand for the scheme and it is expected to be implemented in five areas this year.

“We will identify such areas. If implementation is successfully carried out in those five areas before the end of this year, we will continue it in the 30 areas without waiting for the year 2014,” he said in a press statement after the Exco meeting here in the Selangor Secretariat Building.

Iskandar added that each apartment area that participates in the scheme will receive a maximum grant of RM10,000 to be given to the Joint Management Body (JMB) or the Management Corporation (MC) for safety and training programmes.

In addition, the State Government will also provide safety equipment such as batons, vests and flashlights as well as a contribution to residents who encounter misfortune while conducting patrols.

He said that the State Government is confident that the scheme can curb vandalism in low-cost apartments.

“The act of vandalism is a burden to the residents, for example at Pangsapuri Taman Indah Permai, Klang.

“Where the elevators repaired by the State Government at a cost of more than RM600,000 has already broken down in just a year. So this scheme is very important,” he said.

Kapar Health Clinic Outdated, Manivanan Demands Explanation from MOH

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KLANG, June 18: The rude attitude of staff and the condition of the clinic which allegedly does not place importance on the aspects of safety and health are among the problems faced by the residents if they seek to receive health services from the Kapar Health Clinic.

Kapar Member of Parliament, Manivanan Gowin said that he received unpleasant feedback from the local residents on the services of the over 30-year-old clinic.

According to a resident of Kapar, Mohd Akhir Othman, who suffered ‘momentary paralysis’ on 9 June, claimed that the staff at the clinic were rude.

“There is text (SMS) message by a witness, the Kapar Village Head, Jamlus Hasan, who claims that the staff at the clinic have issued words such as ‘do not disturb us, go somewhere else, why do you disturb us early in the morning,” he said.

Additionally, Manivanan found that the clinic takes a nonchalant attitude on the aspect of safety and health when they did not fully close the area being repaired, causing dust to envelop the patient waiting area.

“This is not a construction site, this a health clinic. Such things should not happen,” he added.

Thus, he will send a letter to the clinic so that the aforementioned problems are resolved as soon as possible.

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Manivanan suggested that renovations should be done on Saturday and Sunday as the clinic is closed during the weekend.

In the meantime, a letter will be sent to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) to seek clarification on the infrastructure of the clinic which allegedly can no longer function and provide good service.

Manivanan also criticised the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak who promised to build a hospital in Kapar in the event he manages to capture Selangor in the last general election.

“In my opinion, it is not fair. He lost so he does not want to set up a hospital.

“70,000 people voted for me, while 50,000 voted for BN. I am also demanding for the 50,000 people who hope for a hospital. Najib cannot say ‘if I win’, because there were still people who voted for BN,” he added.

Abdul Khalid Meets KETTHA to Discuss Water Restructuring Next Week

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DAMANSARA, June 18: Preliminary discussions regarding the restructuring of the water industry with the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water is expected to be held next week.

Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim informed that an appointment has already been arranged by his office with the ministry.

He said that the meeting with the Ministry will be personally attended by him.

“As we know, the Minister of Water, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili previously stated his readiness to meet me to discuss this matter.

“Therefore, I will meet with the Ministry next week,” he told reporters after the Cheque Ceremony from sponsors of the Golf Worldwide Holdings Championship here at the Seri Selangor Club.

Abdul Khalid added that the appointment will be held in advance before detailed discussions are held regarding the issue.

The water industry restructuring process was initiated by the Pakatan Rakyat Government last year as an effort to acquire the operations of supply, treatment and distribution from four private companies.

The State Government has offered RM9.65 billion to acquire the four companies and so far, they have responded positively to the offer.

During the ceremony today, Abdul Khalid said that the prize of RM4.35 million, including four Toyota cars, was offered for the golf tournament which will take place from 20 to 23 June.

The sixth Pro Am Golf Tournament features last year’s champion, Thaworn Wiratchant (Thailand) who is expected to defend his title.

Also competing is Lin Wen Tang (Chinese Taipei), Scott Hend (Australia) and Anirbon Lahiri (India).

MDKL Clean Zone Programme to Overcome Dengue Problem

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BANTING, June 17: The Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) is determined to continue the excellence achieved in the clean zone programme since it was started by the State Government four years ago.

The Local Authority (LA) emerged as the champion for the district council category in 2010 and 2011, and runner-up for the same category last year.

Morib Assemblyman, Hasnul Baharuddin said that praise should be given to MDKL for vigorously making the programme a success with various plans and efforts carried out in the said district.

According to him, MDKL has been seen to make many changes since 2010 and with that, much success has been achieved through the programme each year.

“The areas involved such as Kampung Jenjarom has been seen to have many changes in terms of better facilities and maintenance.

“If previously Taman Seri Putera was seen as the champion of dengue outbreaks with 200 to 300 cases throughout a year, as of now, there have been less than 10 cases reported this year.

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“I express my sincere appreciation and congratulations to all agencies, associations and parties involved, especially MDKL which worked tirelessly towards making this programme as success,” he said when speaking at the MDKL Clean Zone Programme launch here at Taman Banting Baru.

Also present was the President of MDKL, Mohd Azhar Mohamed Ali and Deputy Director General (Development) of the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), Mohd Saleh Santhiman.

Hasnul said that the clean programme planned by the State Government with the aim of making Selangor the cleanest state should be emulated by other states.

He stressed that the local authorities in Selangor, comprising of city councils, municipal councils and district councils, have good management therefore programmes carried out achieve excellence.

“MDKL itself is among the examples of best district councils in Selangor and the country,” he said.