KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) had to fork out RM120,000 last year to clear waste dumped indiscriminately in areas under its jurisdiction.

The common areas for illegal dumping are Jalan Kangkok Batu Kawa, Kuching City Mall area, Jalan Arang 15C1, Jalan Ensing Timur Batu Kawa and Jalan Khung Phin Ulu.

Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang visited one of the illegal dumping sites yesterday (Jan 20). He was  accompanied by council enforcement officers and Trienekens division manager for logistic and services Lee Ghee Seng.

“Our people lack civic consciousness. It is hard for MPP to catch these people dumping waste illegally as there are not enough enforcement officers to monitor them,” Lo said.

He appealed to the public to be the eyes and ears of MPP to monitor areas where illegal waste dumping is common.

“If you happen to witness someone dumping waste illegally, please take a photo of the person and send it to me or to the police.

“I will publish it on my social media and take further action,” he said.

Lo, who is also the chairman of MPP, urged the public to work together to curb illegal dumping.

He argued that legal action alone did not appear to deter these culprits, stressing that the council and the people should start working together to eventually put a stop to this illegal activity.

Lo said the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the public to practise personal hygiene at all times and reminded them to dispose of all waste, especially used masks, properly.

“At this time, we need to maintain good hygiene. We want to create a safe and healthy environment for our younger generations to live in.

“People should have played their role by not dumping rubbish indiscriminately but into rubbish bins,” he said.