In Penang, waste reduction one positive outcome of MCO
CORONAVIRUS | There are some positive outcomes in Penang from the extended movement control order due to the Covid-19 pandemic and one of them is the reduction in household waste production.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Yew Tung Seang said the first week of the MCO saw a 12.99% reduction of waste on the island while the second week saw a further decline of 21.08%.
CORONAVIRUS | There are some positive outcomes in Penang from the extended movement control order due to the Covid-19 pandemic and one of them is the reduction in household waste production.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Yew Tung Seang said the first week of the MCO saw a 12.99% reduction of waste on the island while the second week saw a further decline of 21.08%.
"Kudos to Penangites, we hope to see a further reduction in household waste production in Penang in the coming weeks," said Yew, after he announced the issue on Facebook Live today.
Waste reduction on the mainland is even more obvious with Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Rozali Mohamud claiming that the first week saw a reduction of 22.26%.
"The second week of MCO saw a drop in waste production to 46.04%. We hope it can further reduce to 50% in the coming weeks," Rozi said in the same FB Live session.
Accompanying the duo at the press conference in Komtar, George Town was state executive councillor for housing and local government, Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Last year, the media reported that the total household waste produced by Penang island residents stood at 650 tonnes or 130 lorry loads daily despite the city council’s effort to combat waste.
Meanwhile, Jagdeep said 4,869 residents of state government housing units and public housing have been exempted from paying rent for two months.
He said the exemption would cost the state government RM932,844.00.
"Residents in 13 schemes under MBPP and one under MBSP, involving 1,816 units, are also exempted from paying rent and this would cost the local governments RM376,844," Jagdeep said.
"There are also eight schemes under the state housing department involving 2,911 units which are exempted from paying the two-month rental and this would cost us RM516,000," he added.
Jagdeep also announced that 10,999 business premises under the state and local councils are exempted one month's rental.
The move would cost the state government RM1.61 million and covers a total of 10,552 small traders and hawkers.
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