Residents in Selangor are unhappy with the leach bins that were placed along Jalan Hulu Langat in Dusun Tua for waste management purposes. The bins were intended for villagers to dispose of their domestic waste since there is no door-to-door rubbish pick-up service in their villages. However, instead of being used properly, people started leaving rubbish bags by the bins. This resulted in rubbish piling up and being torn apart by scavenging animals, causing the area to be covered in rubbish.
Taman Sri Kundang resident, Nor Jasmin Hani Junid, stated that the stench from the leachate and rotting food has become a major inconvenience for residents in the area. The problem exacerbates when it rains, and the rubbish also attracts flies that lay eggs on the food. Nor Jasmin has already filed two complaints with the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) regarding this issue.
Another resident, Azman Haron, expressed his dissatisfaction with a leach bin placed in front of his weekend home. He has been dealing with the eyesore for the past three years and even had to clear the drains himself when they became clogged with rubbish. Azman believes that the leach bin endangers motorists who have to park by the road shoulder to dispose of their waste, and it also hampers his plan to turn his home into a homestay. He suggested that MPKj discuss with village heads to find new locations for the bins that are away from main roads.
During StarMetro’s visit to the site near Azman’s home, they noticed a banner by the council stating that the leach bin would be closed and public dumping would not be allowed anymore. However, residents claimed that this announcement had little effect in deterring illegal dumping. For instance, at Kampung Sungai Semungkis, rubbish continued to be dumped at the leach bin near a bridge overlooking Sungai Semungkis, despite the presence of a banner from MPKj stating that the bin was no longer available.
Although the leach bins are intended solely for the use of the 14 traditional villages in Dusun Tua, rubbish lorry driver Julian Nordin mentioned that people were unloading waste illegally at these locations. On the other hand, Abdul Razak Abu Talib, the operations head of KDEB Waste Management Kajang, explained that they collect rubbish from the leach bins along Jalan Hulu Langat daily. The locations of the bins were determined by the village chiefs and MPKj, and KDEB does not have a say in their placement.
Abdul Razak mentioned that there are 32 bins from the ninth to the 18th mile of Jalan Hulu Langat. One solution proposed is to conduct door-to-door rubbish collection, although it would come with a cost. The implementation of this solution depends on the agreement of residents and MPKj. In response to the concerns raised, Dusun Tua assemblyman Datuk Johan Abd Aziz stated that KDEB, MPKj representatives, and councillors will meet to find a solution.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
