KUCHING, Jan 19: The authorities have ramped up management and security measures to resolve the issue of ‘aggressive’ collectors allegedly fighting for recycled goods at BDC Recycling Centre, says Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
He took note of the existence of a group of collectors, who are not members of Persatuan Pencinta Kitar Semula Taman BDC – an association in charge of managing the recycling centre – allegedly appearing at the centre’s vicinity after 5pm and fighting for recycled goods.
Upon request from the Association, Yap who is the Association’s legal advisor, advised members of the public to only drop recyclable items at the centre before 5pm every day.
“Kuching South City Council (MBKS) have now also instructed Trienekens (waste collection service) to improve collection of rubbish disposed at the Taman BDC Recycling Centre twice daily and for Trienekens to assist in the spillage clean-up works.
“MBKS have also taken note of the unruly behaviour of collectors who are not members of the Association and will carry out more frequent surveillance in the vicinity of the Taman BDC Recycling Centre and especially during the run-up to any festive occasions so that the public can donate their recyclable items in a safe environment,” he said in a statement today.
The issue was first made known by Special Assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Michael Kong Feng Nian, who stated on Jan 16, 2023 that a group of scavengers at the BDC Recycling Centre have recently created a hostile and dangerous environment for members of the public where they will rush any car which appears to be stopping to drop off items for recycling at the centre.
Kong also called for MBKS to take back control of the centre after implying that the Association has not been able to manage the recycling centre properly.
The following day, Yap defended the Association by stating that the members have always diligently followed and obeyed all the instructions and directives made by the MBKS officers to clean and maintain the recycling centre of which it was no fault of theirs over the existence of the ‘aggressive’ group of scavengers.
On Jan 18, Kong urged Yap to go undercover to see how the scavengers would swarm any nearby vehicles that are about to unload their recyclable goods at the centre. — DayakDaily
