The goings on at Kayu Madang
Published on: Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: A Daily Express reader suggests the DBKK Advisory Committee learn from the Sandakan Municipal Council how it manages the negative effects of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) through aggressive recycling.He cited the deplorable condition of the Kayu Madang landfill which has reached a critical stage with no redress in sight."The foul stench emitted from the Kayu Madang landfill, infested with millions of flies during the day, thousands of rats at night and large packs of stray dogs running around and without proper sanitation to contain the leacheate, all pose serious health problems which endanger both nearby residents and DBKK workers alike ," said the concerned reader who wished anonymity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Furthermore, the landfill is now home to a squatter colony of almost 250 suspected illegal immigrants who act as scavengers with temporary huts erected as their residence at the dumpsite, he said."There is even a 'kedai runcit and kedai kopi' (sundry and coffee shop) operating among the garbage which makes one wonder whether DBKK had issued Trading Licences to them because all of this is taking place within the view of DBKK site office on the landfill or is the Mayor tacitly condoning these illegal activities," the reader asked. "DBKK appointed a 'security guard company' about five years ago to provide all kinds of security services for the landfill.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The reality was that this company has been buying scrap metal and plastic from the scavengers and was also financing them for various activities, in addition to encouraging more scavengers to move in from various parts of the State," he alleged, which raised questions whether there were conflict of interest, he added."Following enquiries with the Home Ministry (Kementerian Dalam Negeri or KDN) it was found that the company does not possess a security guard licence," the reader alleged.
ADVERTISEMENT
He also claimed that nearby residents had lodged some complaints about the illegal activities with DBKK but to no avail, although the scavengers and the residents alike can easily verify the name of the company, over issues which may be of interest to the Health Department , Immigration, the Police or the MACC. On a possible way to end the present "deplorable condition" , the reader cited "sometime in December 2013, DBKK invited tender proposals for the Proposed Municipal Solid Waste Reduction and Treatment at Kayu Madang Sanitary Landfill (KMSL)."Ten companies responded , including European, Australian, Taiwanese companies which made presentations to the Mayor but it's now more than 14 months and DBKK has not yet made any decision on any company to manage Kayu Matang Sanitary Landfill (KMSL)," the reader pointed out."So it makes the calling of tender look like a farce or has the DBKK run out of ideas," the reader pressed on."Since then, about 700-800 tonnes of municipal wastes are dumped directly in the only landfill serving Kota Kinabalu and its surrounding areas but no recycling activities are being conducted presently to reduce the amount being dumped ," the reader claimed.Yet the upfront objective of the tender is laudable, the reader said."Its main objective was to identify a qualified and experienced company to manage and extend the life span of the present Kayu Matang Sanitary Landfill," he noted."With the proposed implementation of various recycling activities and proper landfill management on the two plots of about 25 acres, the life span of the landfill could be extended for another 20 years," the reader claimed.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
