IN 2024, Penang island will witness the deployment of state-of-the-art refuse trucks, announced by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.
Priced at RM454,721 per unit, MBPP acquired seven new ‘single piece body’ refuse trucks, each featuring a 3rd generation compactor unit (CU). This milestone establishes MBPP as the first local authority (PBT) in Malaysia to introduce such advanced refuse trucks.
Initially to be deployed in Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringgi, these trucks, with enhanced compactor units, aim to eliminate odours and improve efficiency, cutting rubbish collection time by 40%.
Rajendran emphasised the necessity of this initiative, citing the critical issue of ‘leachate’ leakage from the CU of current refuse trucks, resulting in undesirable odours lingering on roads and streets during garbage collection.
“Hence, MBPP resolved to collaborate with a local truck manufacturer to harness cutting-edge technologies, fostering the development of innovative refuse trucks equipped with enhanced CUs,” Rajendran said at the City Hall today.
Rajendran said that the seven new refuse trucks would serve as supplementary units in the Teluk Bahang and Batu Ferringhi areas. However, a broader deployment is imminent, with MBPP actively replacing 13 older refuse trucks on roads and streets in the near future,
Separately, Rajendran encouraged residents to submit their RAC 28 forms by Jan 31, 2024, emphasising the importance of updating property information for MBPP’s annual value rate.
Enquiries can be directed to the MBPP property evaluation and management department or submitted online through http://www.mbpp.gov.my.
Alternatively, a dedicated counter is available. Visit the MBPP property evaluation and management department’s counter at Level 3, Komtar, or contact them at 04-259 2266.
Also in attendance were MBPP councillors, head of departments, and representatives from UD Trucks.
Story by Norman Sim
Pix by Law Suun Ting