MalaysiaGIS.com

Kuala Lumpur, Sun. -- Solid waste contractor Alam Flora Sdn Bhd has allocated "a few billion ringgit" to replace and modernise its fleet of garbage collection vehicles over the next 20 years.

Its chief executive officer, Mohd Siraj Abdul Razak, said they would be replacing 1,134 vehicles in Kuala Lumpur, 4,960 in Selangor and 721 in Pahang as most of those inherited from the local authorities were about 15 years old.

He said the company would also be purchasing vehicles catering to specific needs, such as those meant for collecting garden refuse.

Asked to comment on Datuk Bandar Tan Sri Kamaruzzaman Shariff's recent proposal that litterbugs be forced to do community service, Mohamed Siraj said this would be a good deterrent.

"We have to enforce stringent measures if City Hall is to realise its vision of making Kuala Lumpur a clean and tidy city."

"We agree that a lot of sprucing up is needed in the city outskirts and we are doing them gradually, especially in Jinjang Utara, Cheras and the Ampang border where illegal dumping is rampant."

Alam Flora has also employed Geographical Information System (GIS) technology for planning purposes, besides embarking on a recycling exercise known as Solid Waste Management Hierarchy, where the public is educated on waste recycling.

Mohammed Siraj said the company had set up mobile centres at public places for the collection of large volumes of recyclable items. This includes Mid Valley Megamall.

"We intend to expand and place bins for recyclable items in all housing estates and at strategic locations in public areas, so people can dispose of old newspapers, magazines, glasses, bottles, plastics, aluminium cans and metals."

Some RM4 million is spent every year for collection of waste dumped illegally in and around Kuala Lumpur. This amounted to some RM330,000 each month.