This means that "ada udang di sebalik batu" but including MPKj? Also, why so subtle? Name lah, the party who is responsible. In the end, this is all a delicate dance routine rather than will power to resolve the issue.

Please come clean to rid of the garbage that has been piling up for so many years...pun intended.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Monday January 16, 2012

MPKj president says waste collection sabotage in Kajang is politically-motivated

THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) has lodged a police report against those responsible for the acts of sabotage on waste collection recently.

Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman held a press conference recently to address the issue.

Hassan said as a form of sabotage against the council, some unhappy contractors have threatened not to pay their subcontractors if they continue to collect rubbish.

They also resorted to throwing rocks at those who still carried out waste collection.

No cooperation: The number of complaints on uncollected rubbish has increased in Kajang.

 

He added that in one incident, nails were placed along the road in Kampung Sungai Lalang, that leads to the Refuse Derived Fuel technology plant in Semenyih.

The nails punctured the tyres of several lorries transporting waste.

He confirmed that the acts of sabotage were done with a political motive.

“There are 110 contractors for waste collection in the municipality, 40% are found to be involved in acts of sabotage. Nineteen contractors have since had their contracts terminated.

“Among the areas affected are Semenyih Sentral, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Cheras Perdana, Bukit Mewah and parts of Bandar Baru Bangi.

“The number of complaints we receive from the public about rubbish woes rise from an average of 50 to 60 per week to an overwhelming 600 per week since the sabotage,” he said.

Hassan said the council had appointed seven new contractors to manage waste collection in the affected areas.

“The council will also provide back-up teams.

“Previously, some of the main contractors got contracts have political ties or background. If they have good reputation, they can apply to have their contracts extended. However, some of them have horrible reputations and several Notice to Correct (NTC) were issued,” he added.

The acts of sabotage were believed to be caused by the termination of waste collection contracts since Alam Flora’s services were taken over by the councils since August last year.

In Kajang, existing contractors were asked to continue until new ones were hired.

Existing contractors can also tender for extensions.

By March 1, new contractors for waste collection will begin their duties.

MPKj Town and Health Services Department director Arshad Haji Salleh said some existing contractors were not pleased with the tender system as it was not a guaranteed way to obtain contracts.

Under the new contract, those who receive three NTCs in a month will have their contracts terminated.

This article apeared in The Star and I have always had the view that we have too many layers giving contracts and these people do not do anything. We need to stop this to lower the costs. The local councils must also start to earn their keeps. Let's hope with this, we can keep cost lower and also do a better job.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Tuesday August 9, 2011

The cleaning begins

Effective Aug 1, the local authorities have taken over cleaning services from Alam Flora. StarMetro speaks to the various councils and some residents about the change.

KAJANG Municipal Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the council would take over the management of public cleaning contractors from Alam Flora.

Not complete: Only a part of this drain in Kajang has been cleaned.

 

“The current 116 contractors will continue to work for an interim period of three months.

“Some 2,158 contractors, including the existing ones, have applied for public cleaning duties during the open tender,” he said.

He added that the contractors would be monitored during the three months and those not up to the mark would be replaced.

With the change of management, Mohamad Nazrin Mohd Ibarin, a supervisor for cleaning duties in Kajang, hoped they could receive their payments on time.

“Alam Flora did not pay us on time, there were times when the payment was delayed for two to three months.

“I have five workers under my supervision and all I can do is to ask them to be patient when the payment is late.

“We hope the council can have a fixed date for payments and adhere to it,” he said.

However, many residents are unaware of the change.

Taman Sungai Chua resident Eric Seow was in the dark over the transition and hoped the contractors would perform better under the council’s management.

“The grass in front of our houses are properly cut but our backlanes are overgrown with grass. Maybe the grass-cutters don’t feel comfortable with the residents’ dogs in the backyard.

“Only time will tell if the change of management will lead to better results,” he said.

Fellow Kajang resident Chan Yong Niok, 57, was also unaware of the change and hoped the contractors could clean the drains thoroughly instead of cleaning only part of the drains.

“Drains overflow during heavy downpours. I have told them to clean it thoroughly but to no avail,” he said.