Miri City Council reminds residents to dispose of festive waste responsibly

MIRI (Jan 27): Residents carrying out festive cleaning in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations are reminded to refrain from illegal dumping and to dispose of their waste responsibly.

In a statement on Monday, Mayor Adam Yii said Miri City Council (MCC) has implemented a Festival Cleaning Programme by allocating 44 Roll-On Roll-Off (Roro) bins at 46 strategic locations across housing estates in Miri to enable residents to dispose of their domestic and bulky waste.

“The initiative aims to facilitate proper waste disposal and maintain the cleanliness of the city throughout the festive season,” he said.

The Roro bins will be placed across several zones, including Taman Tunku/Lambir/Luak; Jalan Luak-Bakam, Jalan Riam/Lopeng, Pujut, Piasau Utara/Tudan, Desa Senadin, Permyjaya/Desa Murni/Vista Perdana, as well as Lutong/Kuala Baram, from Feb 2 to 15, subject to respective locations.

Yii also took the opportunity to educate the public on the negative impacts of illegal dumping, which not only tarnishes the city’s image but also poses serious risks to public health, safety and the environment.

He urged residents to take collective responsibilities by using the provided bins and avoiding indiscriminate dumping along road verges, road reserves, drains and open spaces.

“Illegal dumping is an offence under existing local by-laws, and enforcement action may be taken against offenders.

“For bulky waste, the public is advised to dispose of such items at the Kuala Baram Landfill in accordance with the applicable guidelines and operating hours,” he said.

The reminder follows repeated incidents of illegal waste dumping at the U-turn near SMK Merbau, which local authorities have described as a serious and unacceptable offence.

Yii expressed concern that dumping near a school could negatively influence students by normalising irresponsible behaviour, undermining environmental awareness and civic responsibility.

Those who have witnessed such behaviour are encouraged to cooperate with enforcement efforts by reporting through Talikhidmat or the Miri Cares application.

“Offenders may be fined up to RM1,000 for a first offence and up to RM2,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both, for subsequent offences Under Section 18(2) of the Local Authority By-Laws (Cleanliness).”

On the MCC’s official Facebook page, a series of photos of illegal dumping cases have been posted since Monday as a warning to the public about the consequences of indiscriminate rubbish dumping.