‘Perak, Kelantan want to be signatories’

IPOH: Perak has applied to sign the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar yesterday said Perak and Kelantan had requested to sign the Act.

“We received the applications recently from Perak and Kelantan.

“Their applications are under review before being presented to the cabinet for approval.”

Noh said when the Act was introduced in 2007, Perak, Kelantan, Selangor and Terengganu refused to sign.

“Selangor refused to sign because its state government did not want solid waste to be monopolised by one contractor or company, preferring the local authorities to appoint their own contractors to manage the rubbish and solid waste.”

He said, however, small contractors did not have enough funds to invest in bigger lorries and machines.

“If Perak and Kelantan applications are approved, the waste management would be managed by the ministry through Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation.”

Earlier, Noh handed over keys to 34 poultry traders at the newly upgraded Amanjaya Poultry Market building.