Gerakan In The News

Penang’s waste separation policy, success or failure?

Nov 28, 2020

GEORGE TOWN: The state government should reveal if Penang’s efforts in promoting waste separation at source have been a success or otherwise, says Gerakan.

The party’s vice-president Datuk Baljit Singh today said answers must be given to the people of Penang if the state’s zero-waste policy has taken off and yielded successful results or simply a waste of ratepayers’ money.

“Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is also duty-bound to disclose if issues related to waste collection and recycling agents are resolved,” Baljit said in a statement. 

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

“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 Sept 1, 2017?

“How many summonses have been issued to those who have not complied with the directives tied to this policy?” he asked.

Baljit is also seeking answers on the number of recycling bins that have been placed all over Penang and how much of public funds were utilised to purchase these bins.

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

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

“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,” Baljit said.

Moving forward, he added that it was critical for elected representatives to follow through and be consistent to ensure the success of all public projects.

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

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

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