Press Release

Penang’s waste separation policy… a Success or Failure?

Nov 28, 2020

1. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow must reveal if Penang’s efforts in promoting waste separation at source has been a success or otherwise.

2. Has the zero waste policy has taken off and yielded successful results or simply a waste of ratepayers’ money??

3. The Chief Minister is also duty-bound to disclose if issues related to waste collection and recycling agents are resolved.

4. Penang rate payers must be updated on the latest status of what is happening, since there appeared to be so much of publicity and fuss when the state government launched the waste separation policy in 2016, after which it was supposedly implemented a year later.

5. What has since occurred after telling the public that failure to separate one’s waste at source would result in them being penalised RM250 per offence, effective 1 September 2017??

6. How many summonses have been issued to those who have not complied with the directives tied to this policy??

7. Exactly how many recycling bins have been placed all over Penang and how much of public funds were utilised to purchase these bins??

8. In 2016, then Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng launched the state-level
“Waste Segregation At Source” initiative.

9. It was reported at the time that some RM2.5 million a year could be saved through primary waste separation at source.

10. Four years on, the people of Penang must be told if the noble policy in reducing the cost of waste disposal, while developing a recycling industry and creating a clean and green environment has “lost steam” and is no longer a priority

11. Moving forward, it is critical for elected representatives to follow through and be consistent to ensure the success of all public projects which have taken off.

12. This will not only avoid wastages of any kind, but serve as a “report card” for next election.

13. It is high time that catchy slogans, hyped-up launches and advertisements are done away with.

14. The failure to place great priority on performance, will only result in no positive progress for the state.