Kohijau aims to recruit 10,000 members for recycling programme - The Star Metro Perak

27 July 2017

Ng (right) exchanging documents with EBM Global Recycling of Philippines representative Amy Zamora Milana on the Kohijau iCycle system. Looking on is Rusnah.

KOPERASI Alam Hijau Perak Bhd (Kohijau), a non-governmental recycling organisation, is hoping to recruit 10,000 members by year end for its recycling programme.

Its chairman Associate Prof Dr Richard Ng said some 3,000 members had signed up to participate in the Kohijau-iCycle recycling reward point system.

He said under the system, contributors of recyclables were rewarded with cash or shopping vouchers, and they had a chance to win prizes through lucky draws held on a quarterly basis.

“The total number of recyclables collected until end of June is about 30,000kg, which means each member contributed an average of 10kg of recyclables.

“If we get 10,000 members, on an average, we will be able to collect 100,000 tonnes of recyclables, which would otherwise go to landfills,” he said in his speech before state executive councillor Datuk Rusnah Kassim launched the reward point system at the Loyal Garden Residences.

During the event, Kohijau also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with EBM Global Recycling of Philippines to use the reward system at the city of Tay Tay.

The Philippines was the third country after Kerala in India and Guang Zhou in China to sign with Kohijau.

Loyal Garden, which was the first condominium in Perak to embark on such an initiative, aimed for a zero waste community.

Tanjung Malim District Council’s councillor Habibah Yaakob showing the unused banners that she collects to make aprons and grocery bags.

Ng, who was also Ipoh City Watch president, said the management committee of the condominium would get its members and residents to separate their garbage and drop their recyclables at the Kohijau bin sponsored by the developer, Datuk Chan Chee Seng.

He said the management committee would be rewarded with 30% of the sales of the recyclables collected and contributing members would also be given 30%.

“This is part of the social business city concept implemented by Kohijau to help generate additional funds for collaborating organisations, while helping to keep the environment clean,” he added.

Ng said Kohijau had installed 40 bins throughout the state since September last year and another 15 bins would be installed next month and in September.

“We target to have 100 bins installed throughout Perak by the end of the year,” he added.

Rusnah, in her speech, said at one point, Ipoh was listed as the cleanest city in the country and along the way, it was no longer recognised as such.

She said currently, Perak was the second cleanest state, according to a Tourism Malaysia report.

“We want to be the best again and therefore we must do our part, and be responsible enough to ensure we achieve that target.

“In order for us to stay healthy, we must ensure that our surroundings and the environment is clean, and I am confident we can achieve that.

“As the saying goes, cleanliness is next to godliness, therefore recycling and keeping our surroundings clean must be our goal,” she added.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/07/27/kohijau-aims-to-recruit-10000-members-for-recycling-programme/

Ipoh mulls RM1,000 fine for littering - The Star Metro Perak

24 July 2017

Zamri (in orange shirt) planting a tree with several city councillors at the event.

THE IPOH City Council is now considering imposing a RM1,000 fine on those caught littering.

Ipoh Datuk Bandar Datuk Zamri Man said discussions are now being held to impose the heftier fine as the City Council raises it efforts to solve the litteting and illegal dumping in the city.

“We want to adopt a serious approach when it comes to the cleanliness of the city.

“Depending on the amount of rubbish dumped by the litterbug, we are mulling a maximum fine of RM1,000,” he told reporters after launching the monthly City Council-level “Perak Yang Bersih” gotong-royong at the D. R. Seenivasagam Park on Friday.

“The people have been warned,” he said.

MetroPerak reported that the city council would review its current RM500 maximum compound imposed on litterbugs to curb illegal and indiscriminate dumping.

Zamri said that the RM500 fine was set in the 1980s and it was high time for it to be reviewed.

Volunteers sweeping the ground at the park.

With Perak now ranked the second cleanest state after Terengganu, Zamri said Ipoh wants to be recognised as one of the cleanest city in the country.

“We have held many gotong-royong events and we are glad that more people are now joining in,” he said.

Zamri reminded the people to be positive and to help clean the city.

“We have about 850,000 people in the city. If each helps to pick up rubbsh on the street, our city could be cleaner,” he said.

“We should not be negative and litter, which would cause problems for other people,” he added.

Zamri also said, as of this month, the city council has cleared up some 9,642 illegal dumpsites.

“A total of 2,933 tonnes of was collected.

“We have also issued 2,180 compounds and collected RM442,920 from these,” he said.

About 1,000 people, comprising staff from the City Council, various government departments, non-government organisations, Civic Society Council and Residents’ Representative Committees, were present during the gotong-royong.

Schoolchildren from two schools – SMK Raja Perempuan and SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun – also joined in the gotong-royong event.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/07/24/a-serious-look-at-littering-ipoh-city-council-considers-increasing-the-fine-for-littering-to-rm1000/

Survey: E-hailing drivers are making less than before - Malaysiakini

July 6, 2017

A survey has found that 51 percent of e-hailing service drivers are making less than a year before, according to a survey commissioned by DAP.

Forty percent of respondents said they were unsure whether there was a difference while only three percent believed that they were making more this year.

The survey involved 297 respondents who were recruited to fill in the online questionnaire.

DAP researcher Ong Kiang Ming said that the results of the survey showed that driving for Uber and Grab may not be as lucrative as people think.

The most prominent complaint by respondents, said Ong, was the commission rates charged by the two companies.

"Three-quarters of drivers surveyed feel that the 20 to 25 percent commission rates by Grab and Uber are unfair and more than 60 percent of drivers want the government to regulate the amount of commission which the e-hailing companies can charge," he told a press conference today.

Other findings from the survey, in brief, are:

• 40 percent of drivers are full-time;
• 53 percent are driving part-time as a second job;
• 64 percent of drivers have a least a diploma;
• 34 percent of drivers are based outside the Klang Valley; and
• Average monthly wages are approximately RM3,200 (average 2016 income according to Department of Statistic was RM2,463).

Ong and his colleague Liew Chin Tong said that Putrajaya's effort to regulate the e-hailing industry by amending the Land Public Transport Act 2010 and the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 was a step in the right direction.

However, they urged Putrajaya to ensure that there are discussions with drivers in order to increase their awareness of the legislative amendments.

Efforts must also be made to ensure there will not be a monopoly or oligopoly, while regulating the commission rates companies can charge on drivers.

They also proposed that a tribunal be set up to hear appeals of e-hailing drivers who are subjected to punishment by the companies while ensuring that a level playing field between taxi drivers and e-hailing drivers exists.

"The end goal should be a market whereby taxi drivers as well as e-hailing drivers are properly compensated and the taxi companies and e-hailing companies cannot abuse their oligopolistic or monopolistic positions to mistreat the drivers and give passengers a bad service experience," Ong and Liew said in a statement today.

Instilling good waste management principles in students - The Star

24 June 2017

EXXONMOBIL Chemical Malaysia Sdn Bhd together with the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) recently collaborated on the 2017 Eco-Rangers programme, an initiative designed to educate and create awareness among students on effective waste management.

Lending her support to the launch of this year’s activities was Selangor Environment Department director Siti Zaleha Ibrahim.

Students were taught the basics of waste management, from its collection, transportation and processing, as well as recycling and disposal.

These included recycling techniques through composting and anaerobic digestion, and do-it- yourself crafts and fine arts by upcycling recyclables into flower crafts, plastic bricks, stationery and more.

A total of 360 primary and secondary students from six schools in the Klang Valley participated in the Eco Ranger programme, which was held at SMK Damansara Damai 1 in Petaling Jaya.

Each participating school also received a recycling corner with three bins for the collection of recyclables.

MPMA executive director ST Giam said: “The Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Ministry reported saving RM7mil in operational costs for landfill management after the separation at source programme was introduced in seven states.

“This clearly shows that the public can contribute positively towards waste management by reducing the amount of waste going into landfills through practising waste separation.

“MPMA launched the Eco-Ranger programme in collaboration with E Ijau and ExxonMobil this year to create awareness that the presence of waste materials such as used plastics in our environment was largely due to a lackadaisical attitude and a lack of knowledge among the public on how to treat their rubbish”.

ExxonMobil Public and Government Affairs general manager for the subsidiaries in Malaysia Sukiman Mohamed said: “The way forward to effective waste management, be it litter or waste generated at public areas, homes or schools, is via education and proper waste management practices.

“By introducing the Eco-Rangers programme in schools, we will be able to instil good waste management principles in our students from young, which they will in turn share with their peers, friends and families”.

The MPMA-ExxonMobil Eco-Ranger Programme exposes students to various methods of waste management for different types of waste through hands-on activities and group projects.

It also aims to drive innovation and creativity among students on reusing and recycling plastics, which would reduce the amount of waste going to landfills.

Alam Flora goes digital - The Star

24 June 2017

Mohd Zain (right) and Kwai holding Samsungs latest business smartphone, XCover4, during the Alam Flora Smart Partnership with Samsung event

MOVING towards digitalisation, waste management company Alam Flora Sdn Bhd has collaborated with Samsung to create the brand’s latest business smartphone, XCover4, which is set to improve communication and public feedback.

Specifically created for Alam Flora’s business clients, the product is expected to enhance its Integrated Management System mobile application platform, known as “MResponz”, thus contributing to greater efficiency and effectiveness.

“The new platform is versatile, mobile centric and has rapid programming, providing features such as contractor modules, security upgrade and other enhancements for faster performance and lower power consumption,” said Alam Flora chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zain Hassan.

With the technology created through the XCover4, Alam Flora staff will be able to conduct their daily tasks with greater ease.

“The phone provides them with specific applications needed to fulfil daily tasks.

“Daily reports can be easily submitted using the smartphone without the hassle of returning to the office.

“With the current system, the person-in-charge (PIC) can also access the information within seconds,” Mohd Zain said at a ceremony to hand over the new device at Icon Tower, Kuala Lumpur.

XCover4 is designed with a Geo-Fence software that enables the PIC to keep track of the whereabouts of staff members, who will be able to clock in using their smartphones.

“Each ground supervisor will have their own district to monitor; and with the Geo-Fence software, we can supervise their whereabouts and determine if they are working the required hours,” he said, adding that the software upgrade would also enable Alam Flora workers to respond to public complaints in real time.

“With current technology, we will not only be able to overcome various challenges, but also come up with new and futuristic features to benefit Alam Flora in the long run,” Mohd Zain said.

Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn Bhd enterprise business telco sales head Eric Kwai Chee Hoong said: “This partnership with Alam Flora is the first of its kind and we look forward to creating more meaningful collaborations in the future with other potential partners looking to drive digital transformation of their enterprise.”

In the first batch, Alam Flora will purchase 175 units of the XCover4 smartphone for its ground supervisors and excos.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/06/24/alam-flora-goes-digital-specially-created-smartphone-to-increase-efficiency-and-effectiveness/

Collective effort in managing waste - The Star

24 June 2017

Rubbish problems reduced but residents should also play their part in keeping Selayang clean

POOR rubbish collection has been the hot topic at Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) fullboard meetings and among the local leaders and community in Selayang over the past four months. But the good news is, the nightmare should be resolved by August.

KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd, which took over rubbish collection from MPS four months ago, had faced teething problems.

The company said that although area-wise, Selayang is slightly smaller than the Ampang Jaya municipality, the waste that contractors are collecting from Selayang is twice as much.

Besides domestic waste in residential areas such as Kampung Selayang Baru, Kampung Kerdas, Taman Sri Gombak, Bukit Idaman, Taman Bidara and Medan Batu Caves, there is bulk waste from factories.

The amount was overwhelming and the contractors were unprepared, resulting in rubbish piling up in various areas, including Kampung Selayang Baru, making them an eyesore aside from being health hazards.

However, it seems things are improving and the Selayang population can literally breathe easier.

According to a news report, public complaints over uncollected rubbish in the Selayang municipality has reduced drastically this month.

Up to June 19, there were 104 complaints compared to 441 in April and 371 last month.

KDEB stated that it would allocate 32 compactors in addition to the existing 12 servicing Selayang, to put an end to the problem.

Another 20 roll-on/roll-off garbage trucks will also be delivered at the same time.

MPS president Suliman Abd Rahman had appealed to ratepayers to be patient for another two months and ambitiously announced that the local council would be aiming for near-zero complaints.

He further said KDEB should be given time to get on top of the problem and show results.

He admitted that MPS needed to have stricter rules against litterbugs and to curb illegal dumping.

At the same time, he lamented that it was difficult to prevent people from Kuala Lumpur crossing the border, especially at the Selayang market area, to throw rubbish in MPS’ jurisdiction.

The local council had gotten rid of numerous illegal dumpsites in the area last year and keeping an eye on the hotspots, including Batu Caves.

The presence of a large number of foreign workers is not helping matters. For example, a bungalow in Taman Selayang Baru was found to be housing about 30 foreign workers.

Consequently, garbage trucks end up making two to three trips to clear all the rubbish from just one neighbourhood. And the scenario is repeated in several areas.

This situation was not earlier accounted for by KDEB in its inventory when handed the waste management contract for Selayang.

At Selayang Mulia apartments and many other low-cost flats in Selayang, waste piles up next to the rubbish collection centres as residents leave their refuse on the ground because the bins at the collection point are full.

Exacerbating the problem, many foreigners reside in these flats and they are not educated in the proper method of disposing their rubbish.

Some throw their rubbish along the roadside and the waste is washed into drains and rivers, eventually causing floods.

There is hope yet, if MPS can get the 92 low-cost flats in its jurisdiction to follow the sterling example set by Kenanga Apartment in Taman Gombak Permai, Batu Caves.

Its Joint Management Body (JMB) committee established a recycling programme last year and since then, household waste at the premises had decreased by half.

Even better, residents learned to value recyclable materials as they could exchange those items for cash vouchers that could be used to buy groceries and pay maintenance fees. This in turn helped residents in settling their fees on time, thus reducing such arrears.

Best of all, they enjoy a cleaner environment at the apartment grounds now.

Interesting to note is that Kenanga Apartment too has many foreign workers staying there.

So, clearly the mountain of garbage KDEB faces is not insurmountable and can be conquered. All it requires are the will and some creativity from everyone.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/views/2017/06/24/collective-effort-in-managing-waste-rubbish-problems-reduced-but-residents-should-also-play-their-pa/

Catch them in the act - The Star Metro Perak

June 15, 2017

The unit usually does their rounds by taking photos of dumpsites. — Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star

MEMBERS of the public have lauded the Ipoh City Council’s move to deploy plainclothes enforcement officers to go after those dumping rubbish.

Many felt that the move could deter irresponsible individuals from discarding garbage indiscriminately, which could cause health and cleanliness issues.

Ipoh City Watch (ICW) president Prof Dr Richard Ng said he hoped the city council would continue with the move and that it was not just a one-off effort.

“They must continue to monitor other places in Ipoh where illegal dumping is rampant especially near eateries.

“Enforcement must also be stepped up and litterbugs caught must be given heftier fine,” he told StarMetro.

It was reported that plainclothes city council enforcement officers caught seven people this month and even tracked them back to their respective shops in Ipoh Garden South before issuing some RM950 worth of compound for not having proper garbage bins.

Ng said many businesses still did not have their own garbage bins nor take cleanliness seriously.

“As such, they dump garbage indiscriminately.

The unit going through rubbish to look for any leads on culprits.

“Gone are the days when cleanliness is the responsibility of the local council,” he said.

“We must discard such mentality and make cleanliness as our responsibility together,” he added.

Ng said Ipoh, which was famous for its variety of food, needed to be kept clean as it would definitely attract more tourists and improve their businesses.

“Those that do not have garbage bins and do not practise garbage separation should not be even rated a B Grade in terms of cleanliness.

“The rating given by the city council will be a mockery if it does not include the criteria of garbage disposal and having sludge trap,” he said.

“In fact, businesses caught not properly disposing their garbage should have their licence suspended or invoked and compound issued. Repeat offenders should be dragged to court and shame them as a deterrent,” he added.

Ng said the act of providing a garbage bin for proper disposal of waste should not be used as an excuse that their operating cost would increase.

“They should look at cleanliness as a factor that can help boost their businesses,” he said, adding that cleanliness should be a made a key performance indicator to all local councillors, civil societies and enforcement officers.

“City council workers must also be given fixed schedule each week at each location to discard all garbage dumped illegally while the city council should also provide enough bins at strategic places,” he said.

“Fines collected could be able to buy more bins for the people and at the same time prevent littering,” he added.

He also said that ICW would continue to highlight issues pertaining to the cleanliness and proper disposal of garbage.

“We will also hold talks and campaigns in schools and communities to educate the public to practise recycling and help reduce garbage ending up at landfills,” he added.

Retiree R. Sivamurthy, 63, said as a resident who lives in Canning Garden, it was upsetting to see rubbish piled up everywhere while the large bins provided were overflowing with trash.

“There’s a convenience store and a food court here, so naturally there would be a lot more trash.

The plainclothes council enforcement unit will identify themselves and show the accredited pass before issuing a compound

“I don’t deny that the Ipoh City Council is doing their job, they do come and clear away the trash according to schedule, but the problem lies within the people who toss their trash here indiscriminately,” he said.

Sivamurthy said it was important for the community to cooperate with the local authorities in resolving rubbish problems.

“It is good that the city council has enforcement officers in plain clothes to do the monitoring, but how many times are they going to issue summons to these litterbugs for them to learn their lesson?” he said, adding that more civic awareness was needed.

Technician Saiful Saiya, 38, said the lack of civic-mindedness among the public was disappointing.

“It is as if the people do not really know how to discard of their trash responsibly.

“Even when a bin is overflowing, they still let rubbish accumulate until they fall all over the ground,” he said.

Saiful said he had seen council officers clearing up trash in his res idential area, and even if they were late, it could probably be due to technical problems.

“Apart from council’s effort, I think we must all help each other and be more responsible in keeping our city and homes clean,” he said.

A businessman, who only wanted to be known as Alan, 47, said he hoped that the city council would also have its enforcement officers conduct random checks at night.

“While I laud the effort, I think the city council needs to have people on motorcycles going around commercial areas, housing estates and villages to check near the illegal dumpsites during the night.

“These litterbugs think that they can get away because enforcement officers are not known to work at night,” he said.

Alan also believed in educating the young generation to not litter.

“They are our future and should be taught on how to look after this planet. They should start young,” he said.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/06/15/catch-them-in-the-act-public-laud-move-to-send-out-plainclothes-officers-to-combat-illegal-dumping/