GEORGE TOWN – Some 100 rubbish disposal operators in Penang are planning to launch a strike on December 15 unless the two local city councils meet them to thrash out their dispute over the newly proposed rates for transporting solid waste.
The state, which was once nicknamed “Penang Darul Sampah” by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, may actually earn the moniker within two weeks if the operators boycott the daily collection schedules.
Seberang Prai garbage truck drivers’ welfare spokesman Arif Ibrahim told journalists during a brief protest at Komtar that the new rate set by both the Penang Island and Seberang Prai city councils for transporting solid waste is burdensome and has adversely affected their business.
“Last April, we were informed by MBSP (Seberang Prai City Council) that the new rate for transporting solid waste is RM70 per tonne. Previously, the charge for a lorry that can load more than three tonnes of solid waste was only RM180. This translates to an increase of up to 70%.
“So now we would have to charge higher – between RM400 and RM450, including service charges – for one lorry, and this would definitely affect our business because consumers would think we are deliberately raising prices,” he said.
"If this is the government's policy, the Penang government is not the best choice of government for the rakyat."
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 26, 2021
Some 100 rubbish disposal operators in Penang are planning to launch a strike on December 15 unless the two local city councils meet them to address their concerns. pic.twitter.com/rdy0NJJs6M
He said that the boycott would involve 250 truckers from 50 operators who owned some 100 rubbish disposal vehicles.
They serve the entire state.
The strike can only be averted if the state government meets the action committee representatives that the operators have formed to represent them.
Arif also lamented his frustration that none of the 45 state assemblymen dared to deal with them over their grouses.
“When they need help to conduct clean ups in their respective constituencies, we show up with our trucks to help, but when we need their help, they go into hiding.
“Penang is definitely not the top government it makes itself to be,” said Arif.
Earlier, a state government spokesman informed that the truckers must instal a GPS (global positioning system) device on their vehicles to ensure that their movements can be monitored, and that they are dumping the waste at the stipulated sites.
“This will prevent any indirect dumping of waste into sensitive areas such as rivers.”
At press time, both Penang Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud and Seberang Prai Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, November 26, 2021
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