An Ipoh City Council enforcement officer showing a summons that was issued to a shopowner in Ipoh Garden. Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star
SOME 11 shops in Ipoh Garden were issued with compounds as the Ipoh City Council continues with its enforcement efforts to curb illegal dumping of garbage.
During a three-hour operation earlier this week, enforcement officers wasted no time, going from shop to shop in the commercial area to check if businesses had proper rubbish bins.
During the operation on Wednesday, City Council enforcement officers were heard arguing with a restaurant owner about a pile of garbage bags that was found behind his shop.
“What can I do if other people are throwing their waste at the back of my shop?” the owner was heard saying, adding that he had already urged shopowners not to do so, although the issue still continued to persist.
Wooley Food City owner KS Ling showing the cabinet he constructed behind the premises to house a large rubbish bin.
The owner escaped being slapped with a compound as enforcement officers gave him a chance to take action on the issue.
Another eatery was, however, not so lucky as several bags of rubbish were found behind the premises, despite the presence of several rubbish bins.
City Council Enforcement Chief Wan Embong Ismail told MetroPerak that they had no choice but to issue compound to the owner.
“The eatery should have gotten a bigger rubbish bin. We conduct checks in the area regularly. We know who is abiding by the law and who isn’t,” he said, adding that the fines totalling RM2,750 were issued during the operation.
He said there were also cases of people throwing their rubbish into bins belonging to other businesses.
An overflowing rubbish bin in Ipoh Garden.
“When the bins are full, rubbish bags are then thrown on the ground next to it.
“We understand such cases do occur and we will give the respective shopowners a chance to do something about it,” he said.
“And of course, there are still some who openly flout the law, trying to blame others when the waste came from their own shop,” he added.
The City Council is now beefing up its fight against litterbugs and illegal dumpsites, taking various measures to ensure the city stays clean.
MetroPerak reported earlier this month that plainclothes enforcement officers were being deployed to catch litterbugs.
Ipoh Mayor Datuk Zamri Man was also quoted as saying that the authorities are mulling a proposal to increase the maximum fine for litterbugs from RM500 to RM1,000.
Enforcement officers checking the back of an eatery in Ipoh Garden where rubbish was being dumped next to the cooking area.
Wan Embong said it is mandatory for all shops to have a rubbish bin.
“The requirement is stated under the Rubbish Disposal, Collection and Waste Disposal By-law (Ipoh City Council) in the Local Government Act.
“Most shopowners are told about the bylaw when they apply for operating licence,” he said.
“I feel some people are just not taking it seriously,” he added.
He said restaurants, eateries and coffeeshops are advised to get bigger bins to accommodate larger volumes of rubbish.
“It all depends how much waste they generate. If the shops don’t need a big bin, they can always just get the normal sized bins, which cost less than RM20,” he said.
Enforcement officers checked on businesses with excessive rubbish bags behind their premises during the operation.
Wan Embong also said that most shopowners have expressed concern about their rubbish bins getting stolen.
“We advise them to keep the bins inside their shops when not in use or when they are closed and only take them out when rubbish collectors do their rounds.
“With regards to bigger bins, we suggest chaining them or building a structure to house them,” he said.
“I’ve seen some bigger eateries taking the initiative to build a structure to house bins in order to prevent theft of the bins,” he added.
During a check at a site regularly used for illegal dumpsite along Lengkok Canning, enforcement officers found several bags of rubbish there yet again.
“Even despite a warning sign being erected, it is disappointing to see people continuing to dump their garbage here. We will check the rubbish bags for clues and evidence to trace the rubbish back to those responsible,” he said.
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/07/28/warning-to-shopowners-enforcement-officers-check-businesses-in-ipoh-garden-for-cleanliness/
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