Smart waste solution lab helps ease dumping problem in SS2

WASTE in Petaling Jaya is expected to reduce by half, thanks to the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) new Smart Waste Solution Lab in SS2.

The waste solution lab, located in Jalan SS2/63, uses the circular economy method where waste is recycled into items to benefit society.

“We have been living on a linear economy, where trash is disposed directly to the landfill.

“But if we can turn the linear into circular economy, then more trash will be recycled and less trash sent to landfills,” said Petaling Jaya deputy mayor Johary Anuar at the launch of the Waste Solution Lab in SS2.   Read more ...

 

  

We need to use electricity and water more responsibly

Since the setting up of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Seda) and the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism in 2012, solar projects have sprung up across the country 

Will increasing water and electricity rates help reduce consumption and wastage? Is solar energy the next big “alternative” wave? How do we keep our rivers clean?

All these issues were addressed in a recent interview with Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry’s (KeTTHA) secretary general Datuk Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang.

“One of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals is responsible consumption. This is very important, otherwise our environment and consumption won’t be sustainable,” said Zaini.  READ MORE ......

Volunteers cleaning up the waterway in the Friends of Langat River project.

Community garden project gets new life

“KEBUN Kita”, a rebranded version of the “Kebun Komuniti” initiative, will be launched early next month at the Section 8 Kota Damansara PPR Flats in Petaling Jaya.

“The site, which was formerly filled with bushes and undergrowth, will be turned into a vegetable, herb and fruit garden,” said Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Landscape Department director Zuraidah Sainan.

Kebun Kita (Our Garden) involves a collaboration of individuals and agencies that will share their expertise and skills.

The earlier Kebun Komuniti (Community Garden) initiative only involved resident groups and MBPJ.

“The project will serve as a platform for urban farming and foster closer ties among residents.  READ MORE

Mayor: Offenders taking it too lightly

PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has ramped up its fight against illegal dumping – its Legal Department has begun using state laws to push for imprisonment instead of just issuing compounds and seizing the vehicles.

Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said the council’s legal officers had been told to urge the court to impose a maximum fine and jail term for those involved in illegal dumping as their irresponsible action marred the environment.

“Imprisonment is needed because offenders take it lightly as they think they can get away easily by paying the fine and reclaiming their vehicles.

“Our aim is to send the message that MBPJ is serious about curbing this problem as people’s money in the form of taxes are used for the clean-up operations,” he said...READ MORE ......

Total ban on polystyrene in Selangor from Jan 1

#pjkita

#welovepetalingjaya

BUSINESSMEN in Selangor will face a RM1,000 fine if they use polystyrene packages come January 2017.

The fine comes following the new policy set by the state government that bans the use of polystyrene and promotes reduced plastic bag usage next year. The ban will take effect on Jan 1.

Selangor State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said the fine was the standard amount for any breach of licence condition.

She said several additional conditions had been added to the by-laws to incorporate the new ruling.

“The maximum fine is RM1,000 and shoppers will be charged a minimum of 20sen for single-use plastic bags. ....READ MORE ......

Top 10 attractions near latest MRT stations

WITH the 12 new stations on Phase One of the MRT SBK Line up and running, StarMetro has listed out things that commuters can do and eat during their journey to their destinations. READ MORE ......

MBPJ gets serious about recycling

Mohd Azizi (second from right) launching the Petaling Jaya Waste Summit 2016

PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) plans to expand its recycling programme next year to ensure the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) concept is fully practised.

Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said to ensure the recycling rate increases from 10% to 22% next year, MBPJ would extend the waste separation programme throughout the city, especially in residential areas.

He said the generated waste could be used optimally as raw material for industrial activities or for production of reusable products.

“Starting next year, MBPJ will equip each household in Petaling Jaya with a 120l-capacity rubbish bin for free.  READ MORE ........

Turning up the heat on parking bay hoggers

BUSINESSES that hog public parking spaces in commercial areas will soon be dealt with harshly by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

“We will not hesitate to remove or confiscate items found placed on public parking spaces and repeat offenders will risk having their business licences revoked,” Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said at the council’s monthly full board meeting.

Mohd Azizi explained that business owners who wanted to reserve public parking spaces for their own use would have to apply for approval with MBPJ and the lots would be painted red if approved.

Also, those responsible for breaking the law will not be warned or notified before their items are confiscated by enforcement officers.    READ MORE .....

Bank Negara cautions public of bogus emails using its name

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has cautioned the public on bogus emails using the central bank's name that purportedly requires the recipient to click and download an attachment. 

BNM informed the public to ignore these emails entitled “Security Verification” and not to download the attachment. 

The central bank explained how the fraudsters would seek to deceive the victims.

Firstly, the intended victims receive emails entitled “Security Verification” purportedly from BNM informing them that there is an incoming payment for their account. The victims are required to complete security verification by downloading the attachment provided.  READ MORE ....

BY SHEILA SRI PRIYA

Joint effort: The SS20 neighbourhood is among the most successful participants of the MBPJ waste separation pilot project. The neighbourhood started with 20 houses at the start of the project in April and has extended to 200 houses in August. — Sia Hong Kiau/The Star  

Experts believe that residents in cities like Petaling Jaya are well aware of the need to separate their waste, but to make it a sustainable practice, there are other factors that need to be in place.

Good leadership at neighbourhood level, recognition and consistent separated waste collection mechanism are among them. Single stream waste separation is another pull factor.

Waste management experts said the authorities should also review the effectiveness of recycling bins placed in neighbourhoods.   READ MORE ......

Taking Aedes seriously

While preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases have become top priority in Klang Valley neighbourhoods, there are still some residents with a lackadaisical attitude.

“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” This quote by renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall points out the negative effects of apathy.

With the threat from Aedes mosquitoes greater today than ever, in the form of dengue and Zika, Malaysians cannot afford to be lackadaisical when it comes to keeping their surroundings clean.   READ MORE ....

DU park ready by end of August

RESIDENTS in Damansara Utama will welcome a newly revamped park in Jalan SS20/12 by end of the month.

The park, which was upgraded to “active field” status, will be equipped with a gazebo, new walkway, proper lighting and outdoor exercise equipment such as parallel bars and taiji wheel.

Resident Hui Seng Kit, 50, said a better equipped park would encourage people to spend more time outdoors, exercising. READ MORE ......

https://selangorkini.my/2016/08/mbpj-naik-taraf-taman-jadi-padang-cergas/

 

Eateries dump food waste into rivers, polluting eight rivers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

Breaking all the rules: The health department prohibits direct discharge of water from pipes into drains as well as washing plates or preparing food in back lanes. Only restaurants with fat, oil and grease (FOG) traps will be issued licences. This restaurant in Taman Megah, Cheras, however, is still operating as a result of poor enforcement. — GRACE CHEN/The Star

TEEMING with food waste, clogged with grease and filled with water the colour of curry, drains surrounding coffeeshops and food stalls in most areas in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor can be a nauseating sight.

This filth then flows into rivers and pollutes the water.

Studies on the water quality under the River of Life project identified food waste as the main pollutant in eight rivers flowing through Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.  READ MORE ..... 

Semenyih 2 Water Treatment Plant

ONE hundred million litres a day.

This is the volume of water the Semenyih 2 water treatment plant in Dengkil, will produce upon its scheduled completion by December 2017.

Commissioned by Selangor government, the plant will serve some 100,000 consumers in Semenyih, Beranang, parts of Hulu Langat and new developments along the Kajang-Seremban Highway (Lekas). READ MORE .......

Here’s why a seniors’ community network is such a great idea

For close to 40 years, Ben Ong lived in his suburban home in Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya without interacting much with his neighbours. They share a smile or a quick word from time to time, but never a conversation.

But when his wife suffered a stroke last year, Ong reached out to his neighbours for help. His children were living far away and Ong found himself at a loss.

“I didn’t know what to do… where do I find reliable nursing care for her? What about her physiotherapy? I was really quite panicky,” recalls Ong, 66, a retired accountant.  Read more ..........

Serial dumpers caught in the act

IT is only right to practise good neighbourliness, however, it is tough to practise this when you end up having neighbours who simply lack civic-consciousness.

Just like the thieves who appear after dark; some neighbours will sneak out when nobody’s watching and dump their pile of rubbish nearby their neighbour’s house.

These unscrupulous neighbours even coach their young children or maids to be part of this unethical practise.

Despite having a rubbish bin of their own, some prefer to dump their domestic, garden and bulk waste elsewhere.

The problem is more apparent in landed neighbourhoods.    Read more .....

Do not pay for road resurfacing work, public urged

RESIDENTS are urged not to pay money to council-appointed contractors for road resurfacing works.

Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain urged residents to lodge a complaint to the council if they encountered such an incident.

“Members of the public do not have to pay anything for such work,” he said.

Councillors had raised the issue of contractors demanding money from the public to resurface the patch between their gate and the road.  Read more ......

Selangor govt launches campaign to conserve water

IN VIEW of the current heat wave, the Selangor state government has started a water conservation campaign called Jom Jimat Air as a safety measure.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the campaign was one of the state government’s contingency plans to ensure the people of Selangor had a seamless supply of clean water.

The objective of the campaign is also to create an awareness and instil a culture of conserving water, he added.

“The people of Selangor will not face water scarcity during this heat wave. The water supply in Selangor is more than sufficient for all residents.  Read more .......

New Anti-Dumping Law for Selangor in the Works

SELANGOR plans to formulate a new law to check on illegal dumping in the state and bring the culprits to book, said State Local Government committee chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Absence of such a law has led to rampant illegal dumping of garbage, he added.

“The enactment will allow the state to impose heavy penalties including high fines and stiffer punishment against those found guilty of committing the offence,” he said. Read more ......

 

Happy Police Day

On a mission to improve police force

HE was appointed as the country’s top cop in May 2013. After almost three years, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar is emerging as a pragmatic Inspector-General of Police. He has many plans for the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), is resolute in his goal to improve PDRM and has a no-nonsense approach.

“Polis dan masyarakat berpisah tiada” (Nothing can separate the police and society)