Kota Kinabalu: The State Local Government and Housing Ministry (KKTP) on Thursday handed over 18 new garbage trucks to 11 local authorities (PBTs) to improve cleaning works in their respective areas.
The PBTs are Lahad Datu District Council, Keningau District Council, Ranau District Council, Kuala Penyu District Council, Sipitang District Council, Beluran District Council, Telupid District Council, Papar District Council, Putatan District Council, Beaufort District Council and Kota Marudu District Council.
Deputy Chief Minister II cum KKTP Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who handed over the keys, said the trucks are provided to the selected PBTs to improve productivity in cleaning works such as transporting garbage from residential areas to the disposal sites.
He said the selection of the PBTs was based on the PBTs that needed such a truck very urgently due to some of their trucks being damaged and no longer operational.
“On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to thank the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and hope to be able to add more provisions in the distribution of allocations in next year’s budget.
“With sufficient allocations, the purchase of vehicles such as these can be increased and distributed to other PBTs based on the rising demand,” he said.
Dr Joachim said the handing over of the trucks was in line with the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) where the Government ensures the wellbeing of the people through the provision of such conveniences such as trucks and others, as well as the Ministry’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, which is to improve logistics facilities in all PBTs in the State.
“Thus, the Ministry through the Development Sector: Solid Waste Management Division will continue to help the PBTs throughout Sabah,” he added.
Dr Joachim hoped all the PBT executive officers (PE) involved would ensure that the trucks provided are fully used efficiently and effectively to benefit local residents in their respective districts.
“You also need to ensure that the trucks are well taken care of so that the life span of the lorries can be longer,” he stressed.
He also revealed that the Ministry plans to use a GPS Tracker system on every truck to improve the vehicle management system in future.
Also present were KKTP Assistant Minister II Datuk Mohd Hamsan Awang Supain, Permanent Secretary Datuk Dr Jamili Nais, Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd Chief Operating Officer Masashi Nujimo; Senior Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager Chin Hau Yen and a representative from Isuzu Commercial Vehicle East Malaysia Eelluddin Firdaus, Universal Motor Sdn Bhd Managing Director Chok Yun Kiong, executive officers, sector heads and KKTP officers.
