Illegal dumping driving food operators up the wall

Outsiders throwing waste near rubbish bins meant for traders’ use in Ipoh’s Canning Garden

TRADERS at Family Food Court in Canning Garden, Ipoh in Perak, are fed up with the illegal dumping taking place behind their premises.

Traders claim that waste is being thrown into or around rubbish bins by others in the surrounding area.

“This is a food court. If the place is dirty, how can our customers eat comfortably?

“We throw rubbish and food waste at the designated area, which is located behind the food court.

“But I have seen people on motorcycles and cars throwing bags of rubbish from their vehicles there,” said Han Keat, who sells pancakes at the food court.

Traders at the food court are frustrated that no solution has been found to the rubbish issue which they say may turn customers away.

There are over 20 stalls selling an assortment of food and drinks at the premises still popularly known as Woolley Food Court, despite the change in name.

A recent check by StarMetro found that while the compound of the food court was clean, the designated area for rubbish bins was in a mess with food waste and even bulk items like mattresses thrown there.

Kong Su Sum, who works as a cashier at the food court, said various attempts had been made by the management to resolve the issue.

“The big rubbish bins outside our building are supposed to be used by traders only.

Kong showing CCTV footage of outsiders throwing rubbish into the bins.

“But closed-circuit TV (CCTV) footage shows other people dumping their rubbish there.

“We have reported it to the city council but the problem remains.

“Right after city council workers clean up the area, it will become messy again.”

Because of complaints about the foul stench, the management built a wall between the food court and the rubbish collection point, said Kong.

Another trader, who wished to be known only as Jack, said he had confronted some of the residents whom he caught in the act.

The big bins placed outside the food court have become a favourite spot for others to dump their rubbish.

“Right after closing my stall, I went outside to throw waste into the big bins.

“That was when I saw a motorist stopping to throw rubbish here,” he said.

He added that the bag had a hole and the waste was scattered on the ground.

“When I asked him to collect it from the ground, he told me to mind my own business.

Han Keat says he has seen people in vehicles throwing their rubbish outside the food court.

“I am worried about pest infestation and stray animals,” said Jack.

He said the rubbish bins used to be in a different area but were moved to the current location because there was more space.

“At the new spot, some people think everyone can use it.

“I have seen people from a neighbouring residential area using the bin.

“I know they are from another area as I know them,” he added.

Student Christina Lim, 16, hopes Ipoh City Council (MBI) will take stern action against those who dump their rubbish there.

Choy says shops in the area should have their own rubbish bins.

“I go to the food court regularly after school with my friends.

“We have seen a few people throwing rubbish there.

“The food court closes at 8pm, so some people take the opportunity to dispose of their waste under the cover of darkness.

“The city council should act against those found to be throwing their waste there,” she said.

Canning assemblyman Jenny Choy said her office had received complaints on the matter.

“We have met with the city council and requested that an enforcement team patrol the area frequently and catch those illegally dumping there,” she added.

Choy said MBI had suggested that shops in the commercial area have their own rubbish bins to prevent indiscriminate dumping.

Rumaizi says those who dump waste illegally can be fined RM1,000.

“I was informed that the city council regularly checks with its appointed concessionaire, LTC Alam Bersih Sdn Bhd, on their rubbish collection schedule.

“LTC comes three times a week but after that, some residents, operators of illegal stalls and those from nearby shops would dump their waste at the food court’s rubbish bin,” she said.

Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the food court operator had already prepared sufficient rubbish bins to accommodate waste from the premises.

“Because the bins are located in a public area, residents and some illegal hawkers would also throw their waste there,” he noted.

Rumaizi also said there were no large illegal dumpsites in Canning.

“There are only a few small spots that come and go,” he said, highlighting that residents near the food court had received their free 120-litre rubbish bins too.

“Those found dumping illegally can be issued with RM1,000 summons,” he warned.