Solve the Garbage Problem in Penang

CAP urges the state government and the City Council of Penang (MBPP) to give serious attention and take swift action to overcome the island’s garbage pollution problem.

CAP is dismayed that although there has been complaints among many locals and tourists regarding the garbage problem but the situation remains unchanged until now. Last year, the Penang state government had spent RM15.8 million to clean up the rivers in the state but to no avail.

CAP’s survey found that this problem does not only involve several major rivers and coastal areas but also ditches and drains are badly polluted by various waste materials, causing unpleasant odors.

In addition to garbage, factory waste, waste oil from motor repair workshops and wastewater from business premises and residential areas also contribute to this problem. Due to the pollution, the river water of Sungai Pinang, Sungai Bayan Baru and Sungai Nipah on this island has become black.

Besides this, CAP also detected garbage scattered on some streets and dumped in the river near roads which is plied by the public.

Regarding the growing amount of garbage in Sungai Pinang as reported by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), CAP believes that other rivers in the state are similarly polluted.

CAP hopes concerted action and regular inspection is done by MBPP, DID, Department of Environment (DOE) and the Department of Health to ensure that irresponsible parties do not indiscriminately dump garbage and other waste.

Stern legal action and just punishment should be taken against those who violate the regulations contained under the relevant laws.

CAP is concerned that if the cause of this problem is not tackled effectively it will not only affect the environment but also public health would be threatened by a variety of dangerous infectious diseases in the future. Overflow and flash floods can also occur during heavy rain because most of the rivers and drains that are filled with rubbish will become shallow due to sedimentation.

Press Release, 14th April 2015