Mini garden emerges from former Ipoh dumpsite

MORE companies should come forward to help Ipoh City Council (MBI) beautify open areas and prevent them from becoming illegal dumpsites, says mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.

Rumaizi said a successful pilot project under MBI’s 3P initiative (Planet, People and Profit) was carried out with Perodua Kiam Fatt Motor Sdn Bhd.

The company, located at the Kintajaya Light Industrial Park at Hala Rapat Baru, had spent RM50,000 to beautify and turn an open space in front of their building into a mini garden.

“I believe this is the first such collaboration between a local authority and a private company to beautify such a space in Perak under the 3P concept,” Rumaizi said after launching the mini garden.

He said previously, illegal dumpsites had been cleared when the city council worked with several parties in widening or construction of roads.

Rumaizi lauded the company for taking such an initiative and hoped this would be an example to others.

“This site was originally a hotspot for illegal dumping which MBI cleared regularly.

“With the initiative, this location has changed from a dirty dumpsite to a beautiful and beneficial place.

“This initiative is expected to be a catalyst for the council’s joint venture with the company in realising the desire to make Ipoh a clean and prosperous city,” he added.

Rumaizi said at the end of 2020, there were as many as 1,672 illegal dumpsite hotspots under MBI’s jurisdiction.

“Beginning from 2021 these sites were closed in stages and now there are only 120 such sites still active.

“MBI had launched several programmes and measures related to illegal dumpsites.

“These include free collection of garden waste, providing more free waste bins, stricter enforcement, installation of CCTVs, and a compound of RM1,000 for those caught dumping rubbish with no discounts provided.

“MBI is targeting to close more such dumpsites by the end of the year or early next year by 95%.

“I hope more private companies will work with us,” he added.

Perodua Kiam Fatt Motor managing director Cheong Seng Foo said the site was previously secondary jungle and a mosquito breeding ground.

“This is just phase one of the project, as we have plans to beautify the adjacent space to prevent the area becoming a dumping ground as well,” he said.