Screengrab of Wee during the live session (left) and an image showing illegal disposal of garden waste. – See Hua Daily News photo

KUCHING (Aug 9): Individuals within the Kuching South City Council’s (MBKS) jurisdiction are advised against illegal dumping, failing which offenders will be liable to a fine not exceeding RM2,000.

Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the council had recently discovered unscrupulous disposal of garden waste and would take action against it.

“Some residents simply disposed of their garden waste, including withered plants, either by the roadside or at public sites. Worse, they continued doing so despite repeated reminders from the MBKS.

“If their neighbours could provide evidence such as CCTV (closed-circuit television) footage of any illegal dumping, the culprit(s) will face a maximum fine of RM2,000,” he said during his Facebook live session ‘Shall WEE Talk’ on Saturday.

Wee appealed to the public to stop illegal disposal of waste, an act which serves their convenience.

He said such irresponsible behaviour would tarnish Kuching’s image as a hygienic, beautiful and green city.

He stressed that those who trim their plants are obligated to dispose of their garden waste properly, rather than to simply dumping it at their convenience.

“You want to keep your house compound clean, neat and tidy, but to do this, you dispose of your waste at public sites, making them garbage areas.

“Disposing of garden waste is akin to taking care of pets. Since you do gardening and care for your plants, you are equally responsible for disposing of garden waste properly,” he added.

The Mayor said every citizen should be civic-minded and protect the environment instead of opting for the easy way out.

Wee warned that disposing of garden waste unscrupulously would not only jeopardise the neighbourhood’s image but also cause hygiene issues and environmental pollution.

“If an act of illegal dumping is captured via CCTV, and such evidence is provided to us, we will not hesitate to take legal action,” he said.

He also criticised certain quarters who had pointed a finger at the city council after discovering illegal waste disposal, saying they should acknowledge that the culprits themselves are to blame for such illegal acts.

He reminded that MBKS workers are responsible for clearing waste, but this does not mean that the public can simply dump theirs.

“While we are doing our part, we hope that our citizens could stop creating problems.

“Everyone should shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that their neighbourhoods are hygienic and liveable,” he added.

The post MBKS warns against illegal dumping, offenders face fine not exceeding RM2,000 appeared first on Borneo Post Online.