Promoting a culture of recycling - The Star

28 Sept 2015  By Ivan Loh

Buntong and Lim Garden residents weighing the plastic bottles at the collection centre.

THE Community Recycling Projects at Lim Garden and Buntong are now up and running.

Launched by Perak Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Rusnah Kassim recently, the two projects saw about 300 residents from each area taking part in waste separation.

Two recycling bins have already been placed – at the playground in Taman Kurin, Buntong and the field behind the Rukun Tetangga office in Lim Garden.

Collection for the recyclables would be done the second and fourth Sundays of the month in the evening.

The recycling project in Buntong was a collaboration between Ipoh City Watch (ICW), Perak Solid Waste Management and Public Cleanliness Corporation (SWCorp) and Komuniti 1Malaysia Buntong (K1MB).

The project in Lim Garden was organised by ICW, SWCorp and the Lim Garden Rukun Tetangga as well as its Residents Association pro-tem committee.

People have already started using the recycling bin at Taman Kurin, Buntong.

The projects were started following the success of the inaugural project at Kampung Jelapang Tambahan, which was launched in April.

Its main objective was to reduce waste from going into the landfill by promoting a culture of recycling amongst the community.

K1MB secretary M Ramachandran said they were eager to start the project to keep Buntong clean.

“I’ve seen the results at Jelapang and I hope we can do the same for Buntong.

“People should start learning to separate their garbage because the waste separation law will be implemented sooner or later,” he said.

Ramachandran said it would take some time for the community to adopt the waste separation process but he felt that it was achievable.

“When people start doing it and it is beneficial to the community, others will follow.

“With more awareness, people will separate their waste on their own,” he said.

Lim Garden Residents Association pro-tem committee adviser Victor Chew said they have distributed pamphlets to the residents, informing them of the recycling project.

“About 200 to 300 households are aware.

“Proceeds from the sale of the recyclable waste will go to the Rukun Tetangga and Residents Association to conduct local activities,” he said.

Sorting things out - The Star

28 Sept 2015 By Ivan Loh

Buntong and Lim Garden residents learning how to make compost from household food waste.

THE Solid Waste Management and Public Cleanliness Act 2007 in Perak could be implemented this year.

Perak Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Rusnah Kassim said she has set up a meeting with the Housing and Local Government Minister to discuss the agreement within the next few weeks and hoped to have it signed “soon”.

Rusnah said there were still some terms that needed to be sorted out before the agreement is signed.

“We may go with privatisation.

“However, we want to ensure that the agreement between the Federal and state would not burden the people or the local council workers,” she said after the launch of the Community Recycling Projects for Lim Garden and Buntong at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Buntong last Saturday.

Rusnah said the state, Solid Waste Management and Public Cleanliness Corporation (SWCorp), solid waste management company Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd (E-Idaman) and the Federal Government have already met and discussed the terms of the agreement.

Rusnah (second from left) launching the Community Recycling Project for Buntong and Lim Garden. With her are SWCorp Perak director Fatimah Ahmad (left) and Dr Ng (second from right).

“We felt that 21 years is too long for the agreement.

“We want to review the solid waste management company’s performance every three years,” she said.

Rusnah added that she has checked out E-Idaman’s performance in Kedah.

“The feedback was positive.

“The cleanliness level has improved considerably,” she said, adding that the company has been approved by the Federal Government to service states in the northern region including Perak, Perlis, Kedah and Penang.

Ipoh City Watch president Prof Dr Richard Ng said it was of utmost importance that the state privatises solid waste management.

Dr Ng said the local council lacked the expertise in garbage collection.

The residents signing the recycling campaign banner.

“The Ipoh City Council does not have enough garbage trucks.

“Contracted garbage collectors will not pick up garden waste, making it an ongoing issue,” he said.

“People need to fork out their own money to have the garden waste collected when complaints are made to the city council and this is unfair as people are already paying taxes,” he added.

Dr Ng said the city council did not have enough enforcement officers to go around to deal with those who dispose of garbage indiscriminately.

“The state needs to seriously consider privatisation.

“Once the issue with garbage, drainage and grass is solved, the city council can focus more on greening and developing the city,” he said.

“And, the people will not blame the state government for these issues anymore,” he added.

Rusnah lauded the community recycling project and said people should start learning about garbage separation.

She also said that Pasir Pinji and Manjoi could be the next areas to take on the project.

“I’ve spoken to the Pasir Pinji assemblyman about the recycling project.

“Pasir Pinji is also part of Ipoh and I think the general cleanliness of the area is also important,” she said.

Recycling Project Launch - Ipoh Echo

1 Oct 2015 by Nantini Krishnan

Ipoh City Watch (ICW) successfully launched the Buntong and Lim Garden Community Recycling Project in collaboration with the Perak Solid Waste Management and Public Cleanliness Corp (SWCorp).

The event was held at the Sri Maha Mariamman Hall, Buntong on Saturday, September 19 and was officiated by Dato’ Rosnah Kassim, the Executive Councillor for Women and Family Development, Social Welfare and Housing and Local Government. Present at the ceremony were Hajah Fatimah Ahmad, Perak SWCorp Director, Ipoh City Councillor M. Veeran, who represented the mayor and ICW President, Dr Richard Ng.

The objective of the project was to educate residents of Lim Garden and Buntong on the importance of garbage separation and recycling in order to help keep the environment clean.

Ipoh City Watch’s other initiative to reduce solid waste is by composting. A demonstration on composting was shown during the launch.The process is to convert organic wastes such as food to organic fertiliser.

According to Dr Richard Ng, the goal of community recycling is to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills by promoting the culture of recycling in the community.

“Community recycling is the best option for the public. The programme is not difficult to put to practice and is best conducted via active engagement with the end-users,” said Rusnah in her opening remarks.

Some 150 residents from both housing estates attended the launching ceremony.

SWCorp has established garbage collection points in Lim Garden and Buntong. It is a good start for residents to do their part in garbage separation which will become mandatory in the country soon.

Walkabout at Taman Harmoni, Buntong, Ipoh on 27 Dec 2014 7.30am

Attention Concerned Citizens of Ipoh. Ipoh City Watch is organizing a Walkabout at Taman Harmoni, Buntong, Ipoh on 27 Dec 2014 at 7.30am in collaboration with Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Perak. All are invited to attend. The objective of this session is to engage, educate and evaluate several issues pertaining to the cleanliness, services rendered by MBI and to educate on dengue prevention. Please contact Org. Chairman Mr. Pandian Sarangabanly for details. 

Snakebusters come calling - The Star

By ROSHIDI ABU SAMAH
roshidi@thestar.com.my
Photos by SAIFUL BAHRI



Out of hiding place: Ho watches as an animal keeper hold a baby snake found underneath plywood in the village.

LOST World of Tambun has gone to the aid of Kampung MBI villagers in Buntong, Ipoh, who have been living in fear of snakes slithering near their homes for years.

The theme park dispatched its team of snake handlers to the village and they caught two snakes within two hours — a common cobra and another of an unidentified species near the house of the late R. Arumugam.

Arumugam, 42, died last month about a week after being bitten by what was believed to be a king cobra when he went to feed the family’s dog.

Headed by the theme park’s general manager Calvin Ho, the team caught the metre-long common cobra at a chicken coop near Arumugam’s home.

The smaller snake was caught a few metres away from the spot where Arumugam was bitten.

It was not easy to catch the cobra as it fought hard to resist its captors.

It took the combined effort of four men to do the job.

Ho said both reptiles would be placed at the theme park’s Petting Zoo for public viewing.

Earlier, the team conducted a briefing for villagers on snake safety awareness.

The snake-catching exercise, said Ho, was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

“We at the Lost World Of Tambun were touched by the plight of the villagers after coming across a report of their problem in The Star.

“As we have the experience, ability and knowledge about snakes, we felt we should share vital information with them,” he said.

Educational talk: Tayalan giving safety tips to the villagers.

The theme park’s educational programme officer R. Tayalan said in his briefing that people bitten by snakes should remain calm.

“Try to identify the type of snake that bit you so that proper medication can be administered,” he said.

“Also try to minimise your movement to prevent the poison from circulating faster in your bloodstream.

“Then tie a shoelace or rope about seven to 10cm from the bite area but don’t tie it too tightly,” he said.

Tayalan added that the victim must seek treatment at the nearest clinic or hospital after that.

He further reminded the residents not to attempt sucking out the poison with their mouth.

“It is not safe, especially for those suffering from bleeding gums, ulcers or gastric problems.

“The poison can enter the bloodstream through these open wounds in the mouth,” he added.

Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department senior ranger Hamdan Tak, who was present, said snakes do not usually attack humans unless they were provoked or frightened.

“Although snakes pose harm to humans, please be reminded that snakes are protected under the law,” he said.

“Those who come across snakes should contact our office so that we can capture them,” he added.

He, however, noted that most people sought the help of the Fire and Rescue Department instead of the Wildlife Department, which should not be the case.

“Call us at 05-2436645 during office hours if you need assistance to catch snakes or any other wildlife,” he added.

Watching the team of snake handlers searching for snakes around her home yesterday, Arumugam’s wife A. Palanimal said there were more snakes lurking in the area.

The 38-year-old housewife, who has sought refuge at a neighbour’s house, said she had no plans to move back to her home as she was scared of the reptiles.

“I have a three-year-old daughter Kalaivani, and her safety is my main concern.

“My daughter is afraid of the snakes and refuses to go home,” she said.

Mother of two fears snake infested home will claim another life - The Star

By Ivan Loh

IPOH: Every day A. Palanimal’s family watch in fear as the snakes slither in and out of their home at the Tamil settlement in Buntong here.

“At times, the snakes are seen in the toilet. Sometimes, they sleep on a ceiling bar in our bedroom,” said the 38-year-old housewife, who now seeks refuge at a neighbour’s house for fear that they would attack her family - again.

The mother of two children said her husband R. Arumugam, 42, died on Friday after being bitten by what was believed to be a king cobra a week earlier.

Sadly missed: (From left) Palanimal, Kalaivani and Thivanantham praying at an altar with R. Arumugam’s picture in their family’s house in Buntong. Arumugam died after he was bitten by a snake.

Palanimal said that at about 8pm on Nov 12 her husband was about to feed the family dog when the snake bit him.

“It was the second time in three months that a snake attacked him, she said, recalling that her husband survived the first attack.

“I am scared to go back to that house now,” she said, when met at her temporary home in the village yesterday.

“I am afraid my children - Thivananthan, 16, and Kalaivani, three - will be harmed.”

Palanimal claimed that the snakes first appeared three years ago, adding that 10 to 12 snakes, including some poisonous types, could be seen slithering daily around the compound of her house.

She added that her late husband had made several complaints to the Ipoh City Council to clear the surrounding areas that were like a “forest in the middle of the city.”

Palanimal’s family walking through the undergrowth surrounding their house in Buntong.

“I just want the city council to come and clean up the place so that the snakes will not come into my home again,” she sobbed. Meanwhile, Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran said he would discuss with the family about taking legal action against the city council.

“The council could have just brought in bulldozers and tractors to clear up the bushes when the complaint was made,” he said, alleging that Palanimal’s family had lost their sole breadwinner because of the council’s inaction.