Overflowing waste centres raise alarm

KUCHING: The MJC commercial centre community is grappling with a severe sanitation crisis as rubbish collection centres in the area deteriorate alarmingly.

Michael Kong Feng Nian, Special Assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen said that despite multiple complaints to the management body and the Padawan Municipal Council (PMC), no action has been taken to address the situation.

“The state of these rubbish collection centres poses a serious health hazard. Overflowing waste and unsanitary conditions are breeding grounds for pests and diseases, endangering the health of residents and the broader community,” he said in a statement today (Jan 23).

Kong criticised the ongoing blame game between the management body and PMC.

“Such bureaucratic shuffling and evasion of responsibility are intolerable. Residents deserve prompt and effective solutions, not a cycle of blame,” he asserted.

He urgently called on the authorities, especially PMC, to intervene and promptly resolve the issue.

“Ensuring public health standards, including maintaining rubbish collection centres, is a fundamental duty of the authorities,” Kong added.

He emphasised the need for a long-term, sustainable waste management strategy to avoid future recurrences of similar problems.

Kong also pointedly addressed Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, and Batu Kawah assemblyman.

“Dr. Sim’s oversight failure in this vital area of public health is disheartening. As an elected representative, it is imperative for him to take swift action to rectify these sanitation problems and prevent their recurrence,” he said.