MBI dress code must be clear, says committee chairman - The Malaysian Insider

July 7 2015 - BY ISTA KYRA SHARMUGAM

Self-interpretation of what constitutes sopan, or appropriate attire, was what led to the recent dress code incidents at Ipoh City Council (MBI), said Housing and Local Government committee chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad.

He said MBI needed to make clear what was allowed and what was prohibited, based on existing dress code guidelines.

“For example, some say sopan attire is not too sexy or menjolok mata (eye-catching).

“For Muslims, it is to cover the aurat (intimate parts). Some feel that even if aurat are covered but the clothes are body-hugging, it is still considered sexy.

“The interpretations can vary, which is why some think they are dressed acceptably,” he said.

In commenting on the recent incidents at MBI, where several people, including two elderly siblings, Huang Zheng Zhou, 68, and his sister, Xia Nv, were barred entry to the MBI office in Greentown last Thursday, Saarani said the guidelines were clear in not allowing shorts.

“The public should be aware of and follow the dress code usually applied at government offices.”

He said the code was necessary because, as of late, many people were ignoring the regulations by turning up in improper attire.

He added that he was not aware of any official circular from Putrajaya on the Cabinet’s decision on dress code, despite published reports.

Mayor Datuk Zamri Man said, in light of recent complaints, he would be reviewing the dress code guidelines to make it more customer-oriented.

“We do not intend to turn people away or make their transactions with us difficult. The dress code is meant to be what is publicly acceptable to all.

“I will tell staff to relax on enforcing the dress code for now, until we take a closer look at the existing guidelines,” he said.

Meanwhile, MBI secretary Zakuan Zakaria said he would bring up the matter in a meeting with the mayor and other MBI councillors at a meeting after Hari Raya, in 10 days’ time.

He said he would refrain from commenting for now until a final decision had been reached.

Last week, The Star reported that logistician Eunice Chai was not allowed into the MBI building by security guards for wearing a sleeveless, high-collared top and jeans.

The daily also highlighted Sin Chew Daily’s report of another incident, in which Chen Mei Lan, 49, clad in a short-sleeved blouse and skirt ending below her knees, was not allowed into the MBI office.

Unsung hero of Taman Tinggi - The Malaysian Insider

6 Jul 2015 By Jerry Francis

Retired lorry driver Yeoh Say Bah, 75, has become a celebrity in Taman Tinggi and the surrounding housing estates in Ipoh.

He has become a well-known figure in the local community for his untiring efforts in keeping the children’s playground and jogging track near his house clean and tidy.

Every morning, from Monday to Friday, if the weather permits, he is seen with a cangkul and rack trimming the grass or just generally cleaning up.

It began more than a year ago. One day, he decided to trim the grass around the track and while he was at it, pick up the litter and make sure that the drains were unclogged as well.

In the beginning, everyone thought Yeoh was just eccentric.

While most of the senior citizens were taking a morning walk around the track, he was attending to the playground. 

Some even ridiculed him and asked whether he was being paid by the city council.

He has since been back to tend to the 400m a number of times.

When the regular morning folk taking their exercise there realised that he was doing it for the simple pleasure of seeing the place spick and span, they became much more appreciative of him.

They would often stop to talk with the man, who was always ready for a chat.

A whip-round was even held to to get him a new hoe.

“No-one prompted me to do it. I was just dismayed at the city council’s failure to properly maintain the playground and the jogging track, and decided to do my part,” he told The Malaysain Insider.

“I can’t bear to see all the rubbish, logged drains and overgrown grass.

“By doing something about it, I am also getting some morning exercise.

“I’m glad the residents are appreciative of what I am doing.

“I hope I can inspire them to also keep the neighbourhood clean and tidy,” he said.

His absence from the jogging track recently was a cause of concern for the morning visitors, who had grown used to seeing him around.

His reappearance a few days later was a relief for everyone.

“I had a fall and hurt my shoulder and needed to take a rest,” he explained.

Yeoh is vocal in his criticism of the city council’s failure to keep the housing estates clean.

“Why inspect the houses for mosquito breeding grounds? They should first inspect the drains around the housing estates and clear the overgrown bushes and rubbish dumps regularly,” he said.

He claimed the city council was not efficient enough.

”If I could write, I would send complaint after complaint to the city council and the state government every day,” he said.

Ipoh City Council collected revenue of RM80.1m until March - The Sun Daily

22 April 2015

The Ipoh City Council (MBI) collected revenue of RM80.1 million or 44% until March, up RM3.8 million or 5% over the corresponding period last year.

Ipoh mayor Datuk Harun Rawi said that MBI's revenue in the first three months of this year rose to RM78.6 million compared to RM73.8 million over the corresponding period in 2014.

"The operating expenditure and development of Ipoh City Council totalled RM37.4 million. Payment for management, development and must pay accounts amounted to RM46.7, up RM6.6 million from last year," he said at MBI's full meeting here today.

The MBI will carry out enforcement action to seal factories, industries and business premises at the end of this month for failure to pay assessment tax on property.

Owners who still owe arrears of tax assessment for property are advised to settle them to avoid their premises from being sealed and their assets from being seized.

Harun said MBI and the state government will absorb the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on public facilities such as vehicle parking fees, rental of halls, playing fields, swimming complex and others.

"Services meant for business and profit subjected to 6% GST such as rental of business premises, offices and others will be passed on to consumers and can be reclaimed from the Customs Department as tax input."

Suppliers and contractors were required to submit their GST registration number and supporting documents to MBI's Supply and Procurement Unit as proof of registration with the Customs to facilitate payment.

Haron also said MBI in collaboration with the Town and Country Planning Department and the Perak Town and Country Planning Department had prepared a draft plan to turn Ipoh into a Tin Ore Heritage City.

Assessment rate in Ipoh reduced to 10% - The Sun Daily

1 Jan 2010

IPOH, Dec 31, 2009 : 

From tomorrow, flat, apartment and condominium owners here will only have to pay assessment rate of 10%. 

Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the new rate would take effect on the first day of 2010 following a decision by the state government recently.

Hence, he hoped the owners of such premises would not be confused with the old assessment tax rate stated in their bills received earlier. 

"All bills issued by the Ipoh City Council before this showed an assessment tax rate of 16%. The charge will be amended to the new rate of 10%  when the owners come to settle their bills," he told reporters after chairing the council meeting here today. 

Meanwhile, Roshidi said the the arrears in assessment as at November this year had increased by RM1.98 million to RM48.63 million, compared with RM46.65 million for the corresponding period last year. 

Hence, he said, the council would intensify efforts to collect the arrears aggressively in 2010 to achieve the state government's target to collect at least half of the total arrears.

Houseowners in Ipoh to pay between 10% and 276% effective from July 1 - The Star

Jun 29 by Manjit Kaur

RATEPAYERS in Ipoh are fuming mad after they received notices from the Ipoh City Council on the higher assessment rates imposed.

The new assessment rates were fixed after an exercise to revaluate properties was carried out.

The council had revised the rates just last year, where residential ratepayers were required to pay 16.5% compared to the previous rate of 16%.

Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh said residents living in Taman Cempaka and Desa Cempaka near here had informed him about the matter a few days ago.

He said that about 3,000 households in both the areas had received the notices, and were very unhappy, as there was an increase of between 10% and 276% in their assessment rates.

“I was told that about 16,000 ratepayers in both the areas, Tambun and Tanjung Rambutan have received such notices since last week.

“I hope the local government will freeze and cancel the exercise, as with the Goods and Services tax and development charges imposed on ratepayers, the hike is not helping to reduce the burden of the people.

“So the council at this juncture should not increase the assessment rates by way of revaluation of the properties, and burden the people further,” he added.

Wong said Ipoh had the highest assessment rate after Kuching compared to nationwide.

Chin Nyuk Voon, 50, from Desa Cempaka said he currently paid RM286.28 in assessment, but with the revaluation of his property, he would be required to pay RM1,079.10.

The insurance agent said he was shocked when he received the notice, because there was an increase of 276%.

Chow Wai Kuan, 39, meanwhile, said before she received the notice she used to pay RM257.40, but was now required to pay RM633.60.

“I have two school-going children, monthly expenditure and various bills to settle.

“We don’t come from a rich family background, and the increase in the rates is drastic,” added Chow who works in a bank.

Senior citizen Chong Soek Ying, 72, from Taman Cempaka said she used to pay RM16.50 in assessment but that the notice now stated she was required to pay RM405.90.

“Where are my husband and I are going to get so much of money to pay the exorbitant hike in the assessment rate.

“We are old people, and we need money for our medical bills. We can’t afford to pay so much in assessment,” she said.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Harun Rawi said the council had issued notices for the amendments made to the annual assessment to a total of 19,193 property owners.

He said the revaluation of the properties in the city was carried out this year, and that the council found several factors that led to the amendments made.

The factors, he said included the revaluation of the yearly assessment from a previous vacant plot of land to a building being constructed there, enforcement carried out on new extensions and illegal renovations, and change in status for property owners.

He said the revaluation exercise was carried out in Tanjung Rambutan, Taman Perpaduan, Tambun and Taman Cempaka.

“The exercise was carried out in 67 residential areas, and to date 16,409 notices have been sent out to the property owners.

“Such an exercise was carried out for the first time after a very long period, and it was also in line with Section 144 (1) of the Local Government Act 1976, which allows revision on property at all times,” he added.

Harun said the difference in the amount varies from one property owner to another, based on the checks carried out at the relevant sites by the council officers.

He said the enforcement date for the amended yearly assessment was effective from July 1.

“Ratepayers can use the proper channel to voice out their objections.

“The council has set up an objections committee for those who are unhappy with the revised rates,” he added.

New mayor aims to sweep clean - The Malaysian Insider

Jul 2, 2015 BY ISTA KYRA SHARMUGAM

The city's cleanliness is a main concern, says Ipoh's new mayor, Zamri Man.

On his first day in office at 8am today, Zamri said the Ipoh City Council (MBI) was not unlike other local authorities with the same functions and responsibilities, such as the maintenance of parks and drainage systems and management of waste.

“The city's tourism and development are also primary concerns,” he told reporters at a press conference this morning.

When asked if he was aware of complaints against MBI, pertaining to the revised annual assessment rates, Zamri said he was attending to the issue after getting feedback from MBI's advisers. 

"The rates are a form of income for the council and the hike was introduced after taking into account factors such as increased use of space and conversion of designated zones into something else.

"The public need to understand that in order to receive good service, funds are needed,” he said.

He added that he was not averse to dialogues with non-governmental organisations and civil society groups to generate feedback and ideas.

“The participation of all parties is required to solve local issues. Currently, MBI is in touch with residents’ associations and reaching out through the councillors and various committees," he said.

He said he hoped in a year to improve the city, in terms of cleanliness and other criteria set under the state government's Amanjaya policy.

Among the youngest of the city’s previous nine mayors, Zamri acknowledged that he had a huge task ahead.

"I hope MBI’s more experienced personnel will be make up for my lack of experience in terms of years in civil service.

"After all, it is teamwork that produces results," he said.

He later met MBI department heads and councillors in a closed door meeting.

Ipoh council defends hike in assessment rates - The Malaysian Insider

27 June 2015  BY ISTA KYRA SHARMUGAM

The Ipoh City Council (MBI) is standing by its revision of the annual assessment rates despite a recent outcry against the hike.

Mayor Datuk Harun Rawi said the revised rates were targeted at property owners who had carried out renovations or new construction.

"For example, land lots that were previously empty will obviously have a revised annual assessment rate if a structure has been built on it.

"The same goes for those who carry out renovations or extensions on their property," he said.

He said the revaluation exercise was also a form of enforcement on owners of residential and commercial premises who carried out illegal renovations or converted the use of their premises from its original designation.

"The exercise has been carried out in Tanjung, Perpaduan, Tambun and Taman Cempaka.

"To date, a total 19,193 lots, from 67 residential neighbourhoods, are involved in the exercise," Harun said.

He added that under the city bylaws under Section 144 (2) and the Local Government Act 1976, MBI was required to issue notices on revised annual assessment rates when there was a difference in the annual value.

"A total of 16,409 notices have been issued in the most recent revaluation exercise that has not taken place in years.

"By right, the bylaws allow for the exercise to be carried out at anytime," he said.

Harun said different properties would have different rates based on the checks carried out by MBI.

The assessment rates take effect from July 1.

"Those with any objections are welcome to address their issues with the MBI objections committee," he said.

He said a written complaint could also be submitted based on the deadline specified in the new assessment rates notice.

Property owners can submit their complaints at Level 4 at MBI's Assessment and Property Management Department or contact 05-2083 309 for more information.

The Malaysian Insider had earlier reported that residents in Taman Cempaka, Ipoh, were against the latest hike in assessment rates which had more than doubled for some of them.

Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh said he had received numerous complaints last week, after notices on the increased annual rates were issued to property owners in the city.

Wong said the increase generally varied from 10% to 150%, but some people had been charged more than 200%.

Forum On Assessment Rates In Ipoh - Ipoh Echo

1 March 2014 By A. Jeyaraj

Ipoh City Watch (ICW) organised a forum to discuss ‘Issues of Assessment Rates’ which was held at the Open University Malaysia. In his opening address, Associate Professor Dr Richard Ng, Chairman, (ICW) said that in view of the concern voiced by residents on the increase of the assessment rates for 2014 imposed by Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI), ICW decided to invite  speakers from different backgrounds to speak on the issue.

The first speaker Dato’ Chang Ko Youn was the former State Exco Member for Local Council and is currently the Advisor of Party Gerakan Malaysia. He said that the sources of income for local councils are federal grant, state grant and internal sources like assessment, licence and parking fees. This income is spent on development costs and operating costs which are mainly salary for staff. The assessment is based on a percentage of the annual rental value of the property. At 16.5%, Perak has the highest rate in Peninsula Malaysia for residential property. The rates vary for different sectors. The rate is based on the valuation done in 1982. The authority to fix the rate is with the state government, pursuant to Local Government Act 1976. The local authority can carry out evaluations every five years, however, this is not done due to the high cost of doing so. He informed the gathering that during his term as Exco for Local Council he did not allow MBI to increase the rates.

Chang also said that local councils throughout the world are not financially independent and need grants from the federal government. He quoted the case of the bankruptcy of Detroit City in USA.

The second speaker was Howard Lee Chuan How, ADUN Pasir Pinji and Youth Secretary, DAP Malaysia. Howard said that the assessment rate is based on the highest and best rental value of the property and the state has the right to set the value. The rate must be fair and based on the ability of the person to pay. He queried the rationale to increase industrial property rate from 10% to 16.5%. The former Mayor has said that increase in rates would improve services, an assumption which Howard doubted. 

Howard informed the gathering that as per MBI Finance Report, during 2011 and 2012, RM32 million and RM34 million in assessments were not collected respectively. He questioned whether the increase was to make up for this shortfall. Are the law abiding ratepayers being over taxed to compensate for those not paying? With the current increase in cost of living, is this the right time to increase assessment rates?

The third speaker was Burhanuddin Maamor from the Department of Valuation and Property Management from MBI who said that since assessment rates were based on 1982 valuations, they were out of date. The Local Government Act allows the state to impose a maximum rate of 35% for assessment. There are more than 200,000 properties out of which about 180,000 are residential and about 5,000 are industrial. So as not to burden the majority, the residential rate was increased by 0.5% only. He informed that in 1987 the industrial rate was reduced from 16% to 10% and now it is back to the old rate. The rates are based on built-up areas and many house owners prefer to make unauthorised extensions so as to avoid paying the council.

Burhanuddin said that MBI operates a balanced budget in that its expenditure is within its income. Due to increasing expenses, if the rates are not increased, MBI would have to close down.

During question time, an industrialist (who only wanted to be known as Lee) commented that the increase in rates is making it difficult for them to operate their business. During 2013 they received a backdated assessment while also bearing the additional cost of minimum wages. This year the tariff on electricity has gone up. Some businesses may have to close down as a result.

Chan Kok Sun, a retired government auditor said that Ipoh depends on industries for its progress and revenue. We should not kill the goose that lays the golden egg. He compared the actual assessment rate of similar terrace houses in Shah Alam and Ipoh and said that Ipohites were paying RM100 more. The rental income in Shah Alam is RM1,400 and in Ipoh RM500. Businesses should have been given advanced notice so that they can prepare their cash flow and avoid problems.

On the question of what efforts are being taken to collect outstanding assessments, Burhanuddin said that there is a special unit in his department whose staff work seven days a week to collect the outstanding amount. He added that the provision of seizing the property for non-payment is seldom enforced. Meetings are held with those who cannot afford to pay and instalments plans are worked out with them.

Burhanuddin said that the new rates have been gazetted and must be de-gazetted if they are to be revised. Participants felt this is not a problem and can be done.

When asked whether this is the right time to increase rates, Howard felt that it is not. He said that MBI must reduce wastage and be more prudent. A manufacturer cannot keep on increasing the price of his products due to the increase in manufacturing costs. MBI cannot keep on increasing their rates to cover their costs. 

Solid Waste Management In Perak - Ipoh Echo

Jul 1, 2015

Ipoh was declared a city on May 27, 1988 with the Ipoh City Council or Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI) headed by a ‘Datuk Bandar’ or mayor administering an area size of 643 sq km and a population of about 720,000 people. It is divided into 23 zones each headed by an appointed councillor and assisted by two officers from MBI, who are normally residents of the zones. With the slogan ‘Ipoh Bersih Hijau dan Membangun’ it strives to make Ipoh a liveable city.

In April 2014, Ipoh was ranked by the US News as one of the nine best places to retire in the world. It declared Ipoh as the world’s third most affordable city after Vietnam and Thailand.

However, many Ipohites are also unhappy with the services rendered by MBI, especially those related to garbage, uncut grass and unclean drains. Residents fear the spread of dengue, as a result. Many have voiced their complaints through MBI’s hotline and Whatsapp while some brought their predicament to their respective councillors and the media.

Mayor Dato’ Harun Rawi recently announced that Ipoh City Council had received 6310 complaints from the public on various issues for the first quarter of this year. Of this 1263 complaints were on illegal dumpsites, farm wastes and dirty drains. The mayor too announced that 5179 or 82.4% of the complaints had been acted upon. On behalf of Ipoh City Watch, I wish to congratulate the mayor and MBI for having achieved their Key Performance Indicator (KPI) of minimum 80% set.

However, we are not sure if the 1629 illegal dumpsites identified at end 2014 have been reduced. This is not to say MBI has not taken action. Some of the problems lie with the perpetrators. MBI should also look into its KPI for enforcement to ensure that the perpetrators are caught and punished to deter others from doing the same.

Having a fixed schedule for garbage collection will help reduce the illegal dumpsites. The Council should also provide garbage bins to residents or enforce a ruling to have residents and business premises to provide their own. Rating by MBI and the health department on eateries should consider garbage disposal and separation of solid waste as criteria.

According to Solid Waste Corporation, each resident generates about 0.7kg solid waste per day. Thus the amount of solid waste generated by the 720,000 Ipohites is about 504,000kg. Based on the recycle rate of about 10%, about 453,600kg x 30 or 13,608 tonnes of solid waste produced each month will end up at illegal dumpsites or the only landfill in Ulu Johan.

Managing the disposal of solid waste by MBI is no easy task, as it involves technical, financial, institutional, economic and social constraints. Thus it is not surprising to see that the number illegal dumpsites will continue to rise until and unless the solid waste is managed properly and people start to change their perception on garbage separation and recycling.

Privatisation of solid waste looks imminent in Perak, one of the two states in the Northern region besides Penang, which has not accepted the terms and conditions stipulated in the agreement to have E-Idaman, the concession company appointed to manage solid waste in Perak. The concessionaire will be monitored by Perak SWCorp pursuant to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) which was gazetted on August 30, 2007 and enforced on September 1, 2011.

Under the agreement, E-Idaman will take over the solid waste management responsibility from all 15 local councils in Perak. It includes the collection and disposal of garbage, grass cutting, cleaning of drains and providing garbage bins to all residents.

As President of Ipoh City Watch, I am urging the state government to hasten the negotiation process so that Ipohites and Perakeans can enjoy a cleaner and efficient disposal of solid waste.

I visited Langkawi two months ago to see how E-Idaman keeps the island clean. It was so different. I could hardly find any illegal dumpsites. Garbage bins were seen almost every 50m in the town centre. Local councils in Perak can continue playing other roles more effectively developing each area, reduce crime, improve transportation and business opportunity and increase employment rate. These are variables that make Melbourne the most liveable city in the world and Ipoh can achieve that status too in years to come.

Ipoh City Watch is developing a community recycling model involving 250 houses in Jelapang Tambahan with the cooperation of Rukun Tetangga Jelapang and assisted by Perak SWCorp. The project, which began in April, has produced very encouraging results. Some 1376kg or 12.3% garbage has been salvaged from landfill and illegal dumpsites within a period of nine weeks. The success of this model will be shared with other communities so that by 2020 we can help recycle at least 22% of the garbage nationwide.

Dr Richard Ng

Recycling Programme In Jelapang - Ipoh Echo

Jul 1 2015 - By Nantini Krishnan

Ipoh City Watch, Rukun Tetangga Jelapang and the Perak Solid Waste Management and Public Cleanliness Corporation (SWCorp), jointly organised a composting cum recycling programme recently at Jelapang Tambahan, Ipoh.

The programme was aimed at teaching residents, ways to turn organic waste into fertiliser and to salvage recyclables from garbage. The ultimate aim is to create a caring society that keeps the environment clean through garbage separation and recycling.

The programme was in line with ICW’s vision of making Ipoh the most liveable city in Malaysia. President of ICW, Professor Dr Richard Ng, together with its members, used the three “E” approach namely, Engage, Explain and Educate to help turn Ipoh City into a clean city once more.

The home-waste composting project was to encourage residents to convert their leftover food, either during preparation or after eating, into compost that can be used as fertiliser for their gardens. Besides composting residents were also taught to separate their garbage so they can be reused.

The objective, according to Victor Chew, Secretary of ICW, was to encourage residents to keep their environment clean and safe.

“Members are recruited from the local community and would be given training to conduct activities related to the issue,” said Victor.

The recycling programme in Jelapang Tambahan involved 250 houses. It had successfully recovered 1670.8kg of recyclables, which included plastic (236kg), metal (782.8kg) and paper (652kg). A total of 1670.8kg of solid waste was salvaged from the village dumpsite.

Ipoh Miliki 1 Bilion Tan Sampah Menjelang 2020 - Perak News

24 Jun 2015

Bayangkan bandaraya Ipoh yang "dihiasi" lebih daripada 1 billion tan longgokan sampah sarap menjelang tahun 2020.

Mungkin mengejutkan bagi sesetengah pihak namun inilah situasi yang akan terjadi di bandaraya warisan ini sekiranya masyarakat masih leka terhadap pengurusan pelupusan sampah yang efisien.

Pengerusi Ipoh City Watch, Prof Madya Dr Richard Ng berkata, jika dibiarkan berlarutan maka hasrat murni untuk melihat Ipoh sebagai bandaraya pilihan untuk didiami akan terbantut berikutan kesedaran sivik masyarakat masih berada di tahap yang rendah.

"Setakat ini, ini rekod hasil kerjasama bersama SWCorp menunjukkan sekitar 1,629 lokasi longgokan sampah haram telah dikenalpasti di sekitar Ipoh dan masalahnya sisa-sisa serta bahan buangan harian dari setiap pelusuk rumah akan dihantar ke satu-satunya tapak pelupusan sampah di Ulu Papan," katanya kepada PerakNews.

Beliau ditemui selepas mengetuai Program Kitar Semula Komuniti Jelapang Tambahan yang dianjurkan bersama SWCorp dan Rukun Tetangga Jelapang baru-baru ini.

Menurutnya, secara purata seramai 750,000 orang masing-masing akan menghasilkan purata sekitar 0.7 kg sampah setiap hari, justeru membawa kepada jumlah sebanyak 15,750 tan sampah terkumpul pada setiap bulan di Ipoh.

Kitar Semula Penyelesaian Terbaik Dalam Pelupusan Sampah

Menurut Richard, langkah terbaik dalam menangani masalah longgokan sampah haram dan memastikan tahap kualiti kebersihan bandaraya Ipoh sentiasa terjamin adalah dengan perlaksanaan kitar semula.

Justeru, ICW telah mengambil inisiatif untuk melancarkan program kitar semula dengan melibatkan 250 buah rumah di sekitar kawasan Jelapang agar mereka menjadi contoh kepada masyarakat setempat yang lain.

Berpegang kepada prinsip " Komuniti Kami, Tanggungjawab Kami' Ipoh City Watch komited dalam menjadikan Ipoh sebagai lokasi yang bersih daripada pencemaran sampah sarap dan keadaan persekitaran yang kotor.

Menurutnya, program tersebut telah dilancarkan oleh Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Datuk Rusnah Kasim pada 4 April lepas dan mendapat sokongan penuh daripada kerajaan negeri dalam meningkatkan kesedaran sivik di kalangan komuniti.

Richard berkata sejak pelancaran program tersebut pada April lepas pihaknya telah berjaya mengumpulkan sebanyak 1,376 kg bahan kitar semula yang terdiri daripada plastik, besi dan kertas.

Ini juga bermakna bahawa kadar kitar semula melalui program yang dijalankan setiap 2 minggu sekali itu telah mencapai 13 peratus berbanding kadar kitar semula kebangsaan sebanyak 10 peratus.

"ICW akan melaksanakan intervensi tambahan seperti memberikan advokasi sivik dari rumah ke rumah, melaksanakan seminar kesedaran mengenai faedah kitar semula, pengasingan sampah mengikut kategori, menubuhkan Briged Belia di dalam komuniti untuk membantu kelancaran program serta mengadakan pertandingan di antara setiap kawasan dan yang terakhir mendidik komuniti mengenai cara pengkomposan bahan makanan," katanya lagi.

Faedah Pengkomposan Sisa Makanan dan Pelupusan Organik

Menurutnya, masyarakat di sekitar Jelapang telah dibimbing mengenai cara pengkomposan sisa organik yang menyumbang kepada 47 peratus daripada sampah sarap dan menjadikannya sebagai baja kepada tanaman sayuran di sekitar kediaman.

"Program tersebut telah dibimbing oleh pakar daripada pihak SWCorp yang berkongsi mengenai penyatuan enzim gula dan garam dan dicampur dengan tanah hitam sebagai ejen kompos manakala Eddie Chew pula telah menyediakan enzim tersedia dan mengaplikasikan enzim ke atas sisa organic tanpa penggunaan tanah.

"Seorang pakar organic, Mr Martin Wallen dari Australia pula mendidik mereka untuk menanam sayur dengan menggunakan sisa organic yang terkumpul di dalam bekas,"katanya lagi.

Dr Richard berkata, sebanyak 40 hingga 50 peratus akan dapat dikitar semula dan tidak dihantar ke tapak pelupusan sampah menjelang tahun 2020 sekiranya langkah awal diambil segera.

"Terlalu banyak longgokan sampah haram di sekitar bandaraya Ipoh tersayang justeru prinsip ' Reduce,Reuse dan Recycle' harus diaplikasikan segera jika kita masih berniat untuk memberikan bumi hijau bagi generasi masa depan," ujarnya.