Ipoh cracks down on litterbugs with hefty fines

The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has announced a stringent measure to combat littering within the city.

Under the Road, Drainage, and Buildings Enactment 1974, Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin disclosed that a non-appealable RM1,000 compound will be enforced on individuals engaging in indiscriminate littering.

Cleanest city vision fuels crackdown

Rumaizi expressed his concern over the reckless disposal of rubbish by some Ipoh residents, branding their actions as lacking compassion and concern for the city.

He emphasised that such behaviour tarnishes the image of Ipoh and hinders MBI’s efforts to foster the “Ipoh Bestari Sejahtera” culture.

The Mayor, as reported by Bernama, emphasised that the imposition of the non-appealable compound, along with community involvement in upholding moral and civic values, aligns with MBI’s continuous efforts.

This strategic approach aims to achieve the goal of making Ipoh the cleanest city in Malaysia and positioning it as the premier local authority in the country.

Ipoh residents urged to join battle

Rumaizi revealed MBI’s extensive efforts in maintaining cleanliness within Ipoh. From January 1 to December 31, 2023, MBI cleaned up 120 illegal dump sites a staggering 5,073 times, issuing 1,214 compound offers amounting to RM498,750.

The local authority conducted 49 community clean-up activities and strategically placed 1,485 small signboards and 185 large “No Rubbish Dumping” signboards throughout the city.

“This responsibility is not solely the responsibility of MBI but requires the involvement of all parties. Compounding is the last resort after other actions are ignored by the residents of Ipoh,” Rumaizi remarked.

He highlighted that 90% of the 470 illegal garbage dumping sites were successfully cleared by MBI during the same period, aligning with the local authority’s vision of making Ipoh the cleanest city.

Additionally, MBI distributed free trash bins to residents, with 84,547 bins distributed every weekend according to the rotation of MBI Council Members’ zones since the program’s inception in 2021.

Ipoh City Council’s stringent stance on littering reflects a commitment to creating a cleaner and more liveable city.

Rumaizi urged residents to play an active role in preserving moral and civic values, emphasising that compounding is a last resort after exhausting alternative measures.