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17th March, 2010
TUARAN: The State Government is looking for an alternative site to replace the Kayu Madang landfill.
Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Hajiji Noor told reporters after launching the Solid Waste Management seminar for local authorities (PBTs) and non government organizations (NGOs) yesterday that although the present landfill can be used for four more years, it is already posing problems for businesses established within the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Area (KKIP).
One of the establishments is the Intan Campus where the one-day seminar was taking place.
The campus is located several kilometres away from the landfill. Nevertheless, those undergoing courses at the campus often complain of the foul smell coming from the landfill. The campus is also plagued by flies that are attracted to the stink.
“The present location of the Kayu Madang landfill is no longer suitable due to the vast developments that are taking place at KKIP,” he said.
He added that they are looking for another site to serve as a landfill, possibly within the Tuaran district.
Hajiji also said that Keningau will soon have its own landfill facility.
“A landfill worth RM30 million will be built in the district,” he said.
Allocations will also be given to upgrade the landfills in Beaufort, Tawau, Kota Marudu and here.
In his speech earlier, Hajiji mentioned that the State Government will be allocating RM10 million to improve the efficiency of PBTs in Sabah.
The allocation will be used to purchase new garbage trucks, among others.
He also urged PBTs in the State to efficiently manage the solid waste within their area.
He said that failure to do so will affect the quality of life of the local folks, and decrease business and tourism activities within the area.
“In the end, the image of the area and the credibility of the PBTs concerned will be jeopardized,” he said.
He added that PBTs must identify the best systems to manage their solid waste.
The system adopted must be efficient, cost effective and practical, he said.
On the role of the people in general, Hajiji said that they must change their mindset and abstain from polluting the environment.
“The culture of littering is seen as normal by the majority of our community. We litter in the jungle, into our rivers, our beaches and so on. It is so normal. But if we don’t give it the attention it deserves, it will become a chronic problem for us in the future,” he said.
It will affect the status of the State as a tourism destination, he said.
Also present at the seminar were the ministry’s permanent secretary, Datuk Abidin Madingkir and Intan Sabah campus director, Mohammad Mentek.
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