By Aida Aziz
Photo: MBI
IPOH: A house filled with recyclable items and rubbish at Taman Bersatu, Simpang Pulai, has been cleaned up six times by the authorities, yet the same problem continues to recur every year.
According to the Ipoh City Council (MBI), the house owned and occupied by a 69-year-old elderly woman has affected the well-being of the surrounding community.
Yesterday, MBI once again carried out an integrated operation to clean the yard and surroundings of the house.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and was attended by city councillor Zuraidah Zakaria.
“This action was taken following repeated complaints from local residents regarding the uncontrolled accumulation of recyclable items and rubbish, which has affected the well-being and quality of life of the surrounding community.
“The elderly woman was found to continuously collect recyclable materials and store them in the yard of her single-storey terrace house.
“This situation has caused environmental disturbance and poses a potential risk for the breeding and spread of disease-carrying pests such as mosquitoes, cockroaches, and rats,” the statement said.
MBI added that since 2016, a total of six clean-up operations have been carried out at the premises.
In addition, the homeowner has been subjected to court action three times, involving fines and court orders.
“In this latest operation, five seven-tonne lorries and an excavator were deployed, with a total of 27 cleaning personnel involved.
“Items such as plastic, paper, metal, and wood were completely removed. The operation was successfully completed within three hours without any untoward incidents.
“MBI remains committed to ensuring the well-being and quality of life of Ipoh residents through consistent and continuous enforcement of the law.
“MBI also calls for the involvement of relevant government agencies and NGOs to formulate a holistic long-term solution to ensure that similar issues do not recur in the future,” it added.
