Ratepayers in Perak will have to pay through their nose for local council services, while the minimum fine for littering will go up 400 percent when the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 takes effect from January.

The Act was passed by the federal government in July 2007 and was gazetted on Aug 30 that year. It covers management services for the cleansing of public roads, places, drains and hawker centres; grass cutting; and removal of solid waste.

It requires those managing or operating any solid waste management facility or providing any forms of public cleansing management service to obtain a licence.

Three companies now hold concessions for such services nationwide - Alam Flora Sdn Bhd , Southern Waste Management Sdn Bhd and E Idaman Sdn Bhd, which serves Perak.

perak pac hearing 050309 wong kah woh Perak DAP publicity secretary and Canning assemblyperson Wong Kah Woh said ratepayers in Perak can expect a higher assessment rate to cover such services.

"Clearly, the federal government has given priority to crony companies instead of safeguarding the public interest," said an outraged Wong.

"The Pakatan Rakyat state government had, at its state assembly sitting last November, rejected the privatisation proposal in order ...not to financially burden the (people)."

Under the Local Government Act, the federal government cannot impose any local government act in any state without the consent of the state government.

New price tags

Former Pakatan executive councillor for local government Nga Kor Ming said: "There will be a (separate) price tag for every service provided by the concessionaire.

"For example, (a charge will be imposed for) removal of carcasses from public places - it will cost RM250 per cow, RM100 per cat or dog, and RM40 per chicken."

At present, the local councils remove carcasses without charge.

kl flash flood masjid jamek pc 120607 rubbish "The concessionaire plays smart by billing local councils for the cost of services instead of billing the public directly. This is to avoid complaints," said Nga.

"Nevertheless, the local councils will pass on the cost to the public by increasing the assessment rate."

The local councils will also be rendered powerless to act on public complaints and will merely become assessment collectors for the concessionaire, he said.

Another impact of the Act will be to increase fines for litterbugs who currently pay RM250, which can be reduced on appeal.

Under the new provisions, they could be fined between RM10,000 and RM100,000 and face up to six months' imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.