Thorough cleanup to reduce festive waste at Batu Caves

Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) is allocating RM160,000 to manage waste outside the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple compound in Batu Caves, Selangor, for Thaipusam.

Workers hired by the local council will work round the clock to dispose of rubbish during the period leading up to the festival on Jan 25.

MPS, in a media statement, said it anticipated around 400 tonnes of wastes to be generated over the period.

Last year, 380 tonnes of wastes were collected and RM135,000 was spent to manage waste collection.

“Emphasis will be placed on waste management and enforcement throughout the festival period.

“There will be 45 cleaning workers, working in shifts based on a 24-hour schedule, to handle waste collection from Jan 22 until Feb 4,” said MPS Corporate Communications Department.

Ten roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) bins and 50 big mobile rubbish bins will be placed at strategic points in the area.

The municipal council urged visitors and traders to be responsible by not littering.

To handle enforcement, MPS said 143 personnel would be on duty starting Jan 22.

“Traders given temporary licences will be allowed to operate at specific locations outside the temple compound.

“Only vegetarian food can be sold and there is a strict ‘no alcohol’ rule,” the statement said.

This year, MPS is offering 294 temporary trading lots outside the temple compound to the public via balloting.

“About 15 lots will be allocated to associations for people with disabilities while 198 lots are allotted to barbers and for general trading including selling food and drinks.

“Of this number, 82 lots are categorised as ‘hotspot’ lots as they are located at high human traffic areas,” said MPS.

Each trading permit costs RM200, or RM250 for those offering head-shaving service.

At hotspot locations, permits cost RM500, or RM600 for head shaving.

MPS stated that the balloting for the lots would be carried out on Jan 18 and traders would be allowed to operate from Jan 23 until Jan 26.

“By the end of the day, if there are remaining lots, those interested can apply for them at our headquarters.

“However, there will be additional charges depending on the type of business,” the local council said.

Traders dealing with food and drinks are required to get vaccinated against typhoid and also have food handling certificates.

“As per the directive from Selangor government, it is mandatory for all food handlers to wear face masks.

“Operators are also encouraged to offer cashless payment options,” said MPS.