RUBBISH disposal operators are given a certain quota for free disposal of solid waste at the Pulau Burung landfill.
However once the quota is met, a tipping fee is charged for additional tonnage of rubbish sent to the landfill.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that in the past, ratepayers ‘subsidised’ a certain amount of the fees when the operators transport and dump their waste.
“It is from the assessment fees which the people have been paying. The ratepayers have been paying on behalf of the rubbish disposal operators.
“Then, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) implemented a policy which made the rubbish disposal operators bear the proposed rates set by the local council.
“The policy was implemented some time ago,” he said today, when asked about the protest by several rubbish disposal operators in Komtar yesterday.
Chow said that ratepayers would likely be affected again if the rubbish disposal operators fail to bear the proposed rates.
“I believe this (subsidy by ratepayers) is no longer sustainable and is quite unfair to the ratepayers,” Chow told a press conference.
Chow also said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and MBSP are planning to install Global Positioning System (GPS) on the solid waste disposal trucks to monitor their movements.
“This is so that they do not illegally dump their solid waste but at stipulated places.
“The MBSP mayor will soon be organising engagement sessions with the rubbish disposal operators to explain the policy and its importance,” Chow added.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi