SERDANG, Aug 1 — The phased implementation of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) in Selangor is expected to begin with local authorities with city status.
State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said Selangor is now in the final stage of discussions with the federal government on the implementation of the Act after the Cabinet approved its implementation in principle.
“We, Selangor, have been working with the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) and the federal government on Act 672. We have been discussing this for almost three years and are now entering the final phase.
“The Cabinet has approved it in principle and we will discuss which areas can be prioritised. Perhaps MBSA (Shah Alam City Council), MBSJ (Subang Jaya City Council) and MBDK (Klang Royal City Council).
“We will begin with these three city councils first in stages,” he said when met at the 15th Art of Speed Malaysia Festival at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.
Ng said the implementation of Act 672 is expected to strengthen solid waste management, public cleansing services and the overall cleanliness ecosystem in Selangor.
He said the Act would also enhance enforcement against illegal dumping offences compared with the existing provisions under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).
“Illegal dumping will also be addressed because previously we faced limitations. We used Act 171 and did not have strong powers to issue penalties. The compound issued was only RM1,000 for illegal dumping.
“But with the implementation of Act 672, we can go up to RM100,000 and five years’ imprisonment. This will make it more effective to track down and take action against those involved.”
Previously, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said Act 672 would be expanded in Selangor in phases to address illegal dumping issues in the state.
He said the Cabinet had also agreed to establish a special task force to coordinate the implementation of the Act with the state government and 12 local authorities.
He added that the move is part of the public cleansing reform framework under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) to ensure Selangor’s cleanliness standards are on par with international benchmarks.
