THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) issued a total of 19 compounds totalling RM2,600 to several hawkers and food operators in coffee shops and eateries in George Town today.
MBPP alternate chairman for public health standing committee Wong Yuee Harng said the offences included failure to instal or maintain grease trap and also failure to comply with basic hygiene and health standards.
The checks, conducted by MBPP officers from the MBPP Licensing Department, Urban Services Department and Engineering Department, were made in Macalister Road, Lorong Selamat and Rangoon Road.
“MBPP is serious in tackling the issue of indiscriminate throwing of leftovers, food waste, oil and rubbish into drains,” Wong told a press conference in Macalister Road today.
“This may block the water drainage system and cause flash floods. So, don’t blame the state government when this happens.
“Certain food operators claimed they did not know of the requirements like installing grease traps and waste traps.
“But there is no reason for them not to be aware. From Day One when they started business, they should know because they had attended a course.
“I want to remind them that MBPP is going all out to care for the cleanliness of the environment.”
While MBPP has spent millions to clean up the public drains, Wong said there are still hawkers or food operators who take lightly the cleanliness of their premises.
Wong said a total of 313 compounds were issued last year and 36 compounds were issued from January to February this year to the hawkers.
Under Section 69 of the Local Government Act 1976, the maximum compound is RM500 for each offence. If the offender is taken to court, he or she may have to pay a maximum penalty of RM2,000 or a maximum one-year jail or both.
Also present were MBPP Urban Services Department director Mubarak Junus, MBPP Department of Environmental Health & Licensing director Dr Judy Shoba Naidu and MBPP Licensing Section director Azman Sirun.
Others included MBPP councillors Gerald Mak, Havindar Singh, Rohaizat Hamid, Connie Tan, Azahari Aris, David Ong, Aidi Akhbar Mohamed Zainon, Saiful Azuan, Latifah Hussainsa and Nicholas Theng.
Mubarak said: “Despite all the operations we had done, there are still food waste and cooking oil thrown into the drain.
“We’ll conduct operations now and then. We don’t want a bad image for the state. While they do business, we also want them to think about the environment.”
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian