ICW participated in the 6th Ipoh Car Free Day to promote Recycling and Clean Environment

ICW was invited by Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh to participated in the 6th Car Free day on 27 March 2016. Over 3,000 people participated in the programme.

A summary of Ipoh City Watch activities in 2015

City council moves to clear congestion at Ipoh’s railway station - The Malaysian Insider

March 7, 2016

This is thanks to the Ipoh City Council for moving in to prevent vendors from attracting crowds with attractions such as roller-skates, skate-boards and battery powered mini-scooters and cars.

Such attractions had resulted in the square becoming a festival ground for the city folk at night, particularly during weekends and eves of public holidays.

The area would become congested, obstructing those entering the railway station, which has become busy with KTM increasing the frequency of its electric train services.

The carnival-like atmosphere was damaging this city’s main attraction, which is located in the centre of its famous heritage buildings.

Not only were the plants and grass damaged, some cracks had also appeared on the concrete floor around the fountain and the “Ipoh Tree.”

In the past one week, several enforcement officers had been stationed there at night-time to take action against such vendors.

A check with Ipoh Mayor Datuk Zamri Man confirmed the presence of enforcement personnel at the square.

Acknowledging that trading was not allowed at the square, he said a notification of the rule had been posted at the square some time ago.

“I have done spot checks at the railway station and noted the traffic congestion. It was manageable but not as comfortable as it should be,” said Zamri, adding that the traders contributed to the traffic congestion.

“The council has been doing enforcement. However to be effective, we will be monitoring the location more regularly for the benefit and comfort of all parties.”

Yahaya Long, 54, who was waiting to pick up his son, who was returning from Kuala Lumpur on the 11pm Electric Train Service last Saturday, gave the thumbs up to the presence of the enforcement personnel.

He described the traffic as “so much better” with their presence. – March 7, 2016.

First step in restoring Ipoh as clean city - The Malaysian Insider

March 4, 2016

The six-month trial anti-litter programme initiated in Gugusan Manjoi, the largest cluster of traditional villages within Ipoh, has won the hearts of residents.

After just seven weeks, the residents are giving the waste collection company E-Idaman the thumbs up, saying the programme has eliminated illegal dumpsites, resulting in a cleaner environment because cats and dogs no longer have bags to rip open.

The trial began early in January with the company distributing free dustbins to all households and simultaneously spring cleaning the entire neighbourhood.

Senior couple Mohd Tahir, 70, and his wife Esah Mohd Hashim have lived on Jalan Datin for 40 years and said that since the start of the programme illegal dumpsites had stopped.

“Our house is on the junction with the main road. In the past, I would hang my bags out for collection but passers-by would then leave their rubbish nearby.

“Animals usually tear up the waste bags and that leaves a foul smell. Ipoh City Council (MBI) only collects the bags. The torn bags are left on the road and they foul up the neighbourhood for days,” he said.

“Now every house has a dustbin and we have clean streets. It is an improvement,” said Esah, who admitted they had never owned a dustbin before January.

Just around the corner on the main road Jalan Raja, roti canai sellers Nor Ainshah Dahlan and Suhaimi Zambri said that the initiative was a general improvement.

“As there are no more illegal dumpsites along the roads and this make the neighborhood cleaner,” said Ainshah.

Indeed E-Idaman’s service has been so good that residents themselves have adjusted their mind-set not to litter, said stallholders Nor Azlinda and Nur Amira.

The trial was launched by mayor Datuk Zamry Man to monitor and evaluate the quality of service provided by government-appointed concessionaires SWCorp and Environment Idaman, and in collaboration with the city council.

E-Idaman state operations manager Nur Azam Ahmad Zaini said the first priority was to distribute 120-litre dustbins to the households and 600-litre bins to commercial premises.

“Through January and February, by working with the village chiefs, we distributed over 90% of our allotted dustbins,” said Azam. – March 4, 2016.

KL condos to use recycling cages for waste separation - The Malaysian Insider

March 4, 2016

The use of special steel cages for recycling will be expanded to highrises in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and five states from April.

Solid Waste And Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) deputy chief executive officer (technical) Dr Mohd Pauze Mohd Taha said the initiative would give a further boost to the separation of waste at source programme which was implemented last September, Bernama reported.

Apart from those in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, households in Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Perlis and Pahang were required to carry out waste separation.

Pauze said currently, the special cages were only used in residential neighbourhoods.

"The concessionaire is responsible for supplying the cages and those living in highrise apartments and condominiums will have to separate their waste just like those living in landed properties," he said at a media briefing on waste recycling organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The Malaysian Insider had previously reported that a total of 129 recycling cages would be placed at flats in Negri Sembilan to enable effective waste sepration at source.

The cages have three separate sections for paper, plastic and other recyclable items.

Residents should separate and place the items in plastic bags before placing them in the correct section in the cage.

Pauze said at present, the recycling rate in Malaysia was still at 17%. The target is to reach a recycling rate of 22% by 2020.

Meanwhile, SWCorp has issued 50,000 reminders from September last year to last month to households which failed to separate waste at source.

SWCorp is an agency under the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry, which is in charge of the waste separation project.

It has been reported that the implementation of mandatory separation of household solid waste is capable of reducing the amount of solid waste sent to waste disposal sites by 40%.

Beginning June 1, action will be taken again those who failed to carry out waste separation at source.

First time offenders will face a RM50 compound, with RM100 and RM500 for subsequent offences.

A RM1,000 fine would be imposed if an offender did not settle the compound. – March 4, 2016.

Ipoh City Watch promotes healthy living on car-free day - The Malaysian Insider

Feb 29, 2016 by Jerry Francis


State committee chairman for Women, Family, Social Welfare, Housing and Local Government Datuk Rusnah Kassim (in pink) and Ipoh City Watch president Prof Dr Richard Ng (on her left) spreading the cleanliness message at Ladies Lane. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Jerry Francis, February 29, 2016. 

In conjunction with the Ipoh City Council's monthly car free day yesterday morning along Jalan Raja DiHilir, members of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Ipoh City Watch (ICW) promoted its healthy living lifestyle at the Old Town sector of the city.

Led by president Prof Dr Richard Ng, members of the group gathered at the Birch Memorial Clock Tower at 7am and gradually walked 2km over to Ipoh City Hotel, Jalan Dass, passing through the popular Old Town Heritage trail and Memory Lane Sunday market.

The "Heritage Trail Walk" was organised in conjunction with Ipoh Car Free day to promote healthy living, recycling and reduction in carbon emissions.

State committee chairman for Women, Family, Social Welfare, Housing and Local Government Datuk Rusnah Kassim thanked Ng for the positive message promoted by the ICW.

“The walk by ICW will help to inculcate a cleanliness habit in the city,” said Rusmah.

“There is only so much that the state government can do. However, with help from NGOs like ICW, Ipoh will regain its history of being the cleanest and most livable city in the country.”

Those taking part in the walk carried posters reminding residents to help make Ipoh the most livable city in Malaysia and to practice the 3R concept of recycle, reuse and reduce waste.

“The goal of walking through the Heritage Trail was to remind traders it is a tourist area and every effort should be taken to keep it clean and tidy at all times” said Ng.

The members repeated the same message when they stopped at Ladies Lane in front of a hotel and held a signature campaign encouraging customers to embrace the 3Rs and help keep Ipoh clean.

Royal Malaysian Air Force technician Jusrini Aizan, who signed the banner, said the awareness campaign was a positive effort.

“This action to have a clean Ipoh should apply to the whole country. If everyone did their part everywhere would be clean” said Jusrini. – February 29, 2016.

Details: http://www.themalaysianoutsider.com/citynews/ipoh/article/ipoh-city-watch-promotes-healthy-living-on-car-free-day

Ipoh City Watch launches recycling initiative - The Malaysian Insider

BY JERRY FRANCIS

Published: 18 February 2016 7:00 AM

Datuk Samsudin Abu Hassan with some of the members of the co-operative. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Jerry Francis, February 18, 2016.

Ipoh City Watch (ICW), a group with the goal of making Ipoh the most liveable city in Malaysia, has launched a co-operative to recycle waste material.

Koperasi Alam Hijau Perak Berhad was launched by the Exco for Consumer Affairs, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives, NGOs and Civil Societies Datuk Samsudin Abu Hassan last weekend.

Samsuddin announced the state was putting RM20,000 into the co-operative, saying it was a positive step benefitting the state, while the Perak Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia similarly announced a grant of RM10,000.

Samsudin said that Perak had a problem with its waste material because it was all being thrown away.

“Ipoh alone generates close to 1 million tonnes of waste each day, and it is all being thrown away,” he said.

“This waste, if recycled, composted and pelletised, will be a positive development because there is a demand for recycled material in industry, for example in the furniture industry.”

Samsudin added the composting of recycled waste was being carried out in other states.

“Having a similar program for Perak would save recycle entrepreneurs on their transport costs and create employment at the same time”.

ICW chairman Dr Richard Ng said the co-operative would provide recycling services throughout the state.

“Our function is to spur economic growth through social entrepreneurship involving the local communities. Hopefully this will lead to reducing the number of illegal dumps.

“Our other activities are to educate the public about the importance of recycling and promoting good environment practices and in time to market recycled products.”

In the past 12 months, ICW has launched a community recycling 3R programme initially in Jelapang Tambahan 2 and subsequently Buntong and Lim Garden. – February 18, 2016.