Heated exchange in Parliament over 20-tonne rubbish collected post-rally
28 Jul 2025 02:29pm
A heated session unfolded in the Dewan Rakyat sitting today when Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) accused Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming of lying about the 20 tonnes of rubbish collected following Saturday's rally. - Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR - A heated session unfolded in the Dewan Rakyat sitting today when Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) accused Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming of lying about the 20 tonnes of rubbish collected following Saturday's rally.
Nga clarified that the figure was based on a report by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp). Nga was reported as saying that a total of 20 tonnes of rubbish was collected following the rally, adding that cleanup operations were carried out until 3.30am. - Bernama photo
He said that the government respects the Federal Constitution and upholds democratic principles by allowing peaceful assemblies, but such gatherings must be conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, including maintaining cleanliness.
"This includes maintaining cleanliness, and I was criticising unhygienic behaviour. I never said the Honourable Member for Pendang was the one who littered.
"...the 20 tonnes of rubbish mentioned did not come from me. That figure was from the SWCorp report I received. Hundreds of our workers had to be mobilised to clean up the rubbish left behind after the black shirt rally," he said.
Yesterday, Nga was reported as saying that a total of 20 tonnes of rubbish was collected following the rally, adding that cleanup operations were carried out until 3.30am.
Meanwhile, Nga said that to date, 23 non-sanitary landfills have been safely closed under the Non-Sanitary Landfill Closure and Rehabilitation Plan, adding that another 155 open dumping sites nationwide will be closed in phases throughout the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period.
He said the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), through the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN), is prioritising a progressive transformation from non-sanitary landfills to sanitary landfills equipped with leachate treatment plants, which function to treat the landfill liquid waste.
In addition, he stated that the ministry has introduced a reuse approach for closed landfill sites by conducting rehabilitation efforts to ensure they are safe before developing them into public spaces, such as Lestari Parks, solar farms, and community facilities, thereby benefiting the local community.
"One example of a successful Lestari Park pilot project is the former landfill site at Felda Bandar Tenggara, which had previously held over 360,000 metric tons of waste since 1999.
"Today, spanning 7.56 hectares, it has been transformed into a recreational park with a stroller garden concept, featuring attractively designed landscape elements as well as environmental rehabilitation components for the former landfill site,' he said.
He was responding to a question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) on the ministry's actions to address issues of odour and water pollution frequently caused by poorly managed landfill sites. - BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
Offenders compulsory attendance order to reduce prison overcrowding
KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in the Dewan Rakyat today, with Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah stating its primary aim is to address prison overcrowding. He revealed that as of July 22, Malaysian prisons housed 83,827 inmates, exceeding the capacity of 76,311. Another 5,759 offenders are undergoing community rehabilitation. 'Overcrowding creates an unconducive environment, increasing disease risks and reducing rehabilitation effectiveness,' Shamsul Anuar said during the debate. The bill expands eligibility for compulsory attendance orders (PKW) to offenders facing up to 10 years' imprisonment, up from the current three-year limit. Shamsul Anuar noted that since 2010, 8,227 offenders have undergone PKW with a 94.5% success rate, while only 5.25% had orders revoked. Rehabilitation modules under PKW include intervention programmes, counselling, and religious courses. The minister also highlighted financial burdens and security risks linked to overcrowding, such as riots and strikes. The Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes tomorrow. - Bernama
Focus Malaysia
24 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
Reflections from a Chinese Malaysian who attended the 'Turun Anwar' rally
Letter to Editor I WAS one of those minority non-Malays who attended the 'Turun Anwar' rally last Saturday. Crowd size debates aside, it was a success. Peaceful, orderly, and held with purpose. But if we are being honest, something was missing, and it was not just the numbers. What stood out most to me was the diversity, or in this case, the lack of it. I have been attending rallies since the Bersih days. Back then, the streets were filled with Malaysians from all walks of life and different backgrounds. The vibes were euphoric and there was a festival-like atmosphere to it. You felt like you were part of something bigger. At 'Turun Anwar', that multiracial spirit was hardly there. As a Chinese Malaysian, I could not help but notice how few non-Malays were present. This is not a criticism of those who stayed home, but a reflection of how disconnected they feel from today's opposition. A key part of this disconnect lies with the opposition leadership. For a movement to feel national, its leaders must sound national too. Instead, we are left with someone who once openly declared himself 'Malay first'. That statement, though made years ago, continues to shape public perception. It is difficult to expect broader support when the top opposition figure still carries the weight of that remark. This is not a personal attack on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin but it is fair to say that many Malaysians do not see him as a leader for all. His passivity as head of the country's opposition bloc stood in stark contrast from the passionate leadership that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had portrayed when the latter was leading the charge to bring down Barisan Nasional. Anwar's fiery speeches and how he was victimised by state apparatus such as going to jail, captured the imaginations of Malaysians. As head of the opposition coalition, Muhyiddin was content with rehashing media statements. Sadly, most non-Malays do not relate to the eighth prime minister, especially with several court cases hanging over his head and a son-in-law who is on the run. The opposition needs someone who can bring all Malaysians together with credibility and vision. Malaysia deserves an opposition that is inclusive, forward-looking, and unafraid to lead. Until then, many of us will stay away from such rallies and for better or worse, opt for the lesser of the two evils. Unless, of course, a new figure steps forward to change the conversation. ‒ July 28, 2025 Sebastian Ong Cheras, Kuala Lumpur The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Malay Mail/Firdaus Latif
![[UPDATED] Community service option extended to more offenders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FCommunityservice-280725_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1753697441.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Community service option extended to more offenders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Community service option extended to more offenders
KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Act 2025, aimed at broadening the category of offenders eligible for mandatory community service in place of imprisonment, has been passed by the Dewan Rakyat today. The proposed amendments will allow offenders convicted of crimes punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, and who reside near a compulsory attendance centre, to be eligible for alternative sentencing. Individuals facing imprisonment for failing to pay fines will also qualify under the revised law. Offenders will be required to undertake compulsory work for a period not exceeding 12 months and no more than four hours a day. However, before granting such an order, the court must assess whether the offender would be adequately punished by a prison sentence not exceeding three years, and take into account the individual's character, as stipulated in the amended Section 5(1A) of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act 1954. "Up to July 25, 2025, 8,225 people have received such an order. This shows that this is not new," Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said in his winding-up speech. Responding to government backbencher Lim Lip Eng's (PH–Kepong) suggestion to utilise electronic monitoring, the deputy minister said an amendment is in the works. "I would like to inform you that the Prisons Department has taken note of this proposal. "The Prisons Act 1995 is being amended, which includes a suggestion on using electronic monitoring as a method," he said. Shamsul also clarified that remand detainees and prisoners were already separated in prison. "This separation is important to ensure that people facing trial are not exposed to negative influences or security risks from convicted inmates. "We have already been doing this for a long time," he said.
