BINTULU: Residents affected by the recent floods here have been urged to clear and place household waste at designated collection points to facilitate post-disaster cleanup efforts.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC) Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the overwhelming volume of flood debris has slowed down waste clearance efforts, but steps are being taken to expedite the process.
“I urge all residents to cooperate by promptly clearing and placing any remaining household waste at designated collection points.
“This will ensure the cleanup operation is carried out with maximum efficiency, restoring Bintulu to a clean and orderly state as soon as possible,” he said in a Facebook post (Feb 10).
The Bintulu MP acknowledged the growing frustration among residents over the delay, stating that he had received numerous complaints before arriving back in Bintulu.
Upon his arrival, he personally inspected several locations and found many streets still piled with debris.
He attributed the slow progress to manpower shortages at the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA).
To address this, he said he had swiftly mobilised volunteer teams, including those from the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Persatuan Persahabatan Zong Ho, to assist in waste clearance.
“Efforts are being intensified to speed up the clearance of rubbish from residential areas and streets.
“Given the sheer volume of waste, failure to remove it promptly may lead to foul odours and potential health risks,” he added.
As part of the initiative, the volunteer teams under PDP will deploy lorries, excavators, and other equipment to improve waste disposal efficiency.
Tiong assured residents that the matter is being closely monitored and expedited, asking for their patience as cleanup efforts continue.
