WHEN rubbish trucks comes to residential areas, what is expected is trash collected and disposed.

Ironically in Ipoh while rubbish is collected it leaves behind a watery trail of stench.

Lately when I was at a hotel in Ipoh, I witness noxious water leakage from a rubbish truck as it was lifting rubbish bins from the basement. The stench that came from the site was disgusting.

When I ask one of the rubbish collectors why was liquid flowing from the truck he told me that the trucks have not been maintained for a long time.

The hotel workers ended up cleaning the floor of the basement while the rubbish collectors went on their way.

For the hotel staff, it was a health hazard, where they need to clear the rubbish juice each time there is a collection.  

I notice the collectors themselves did not wear safety equipment to protect themselves from the stench, and some of them were rude.

This bring into question the attitude of local government on waste management in the city and whether safety and health has been an important criterion.

Is there a maintenance schedule for these trucks? Are there broken seals that cause such leakage? Is there a plan to replace such trucks?

Is the environmental department aware of this problem? I wonder who audits the local government’s performance on waste management and does it take into consideration the health of its own workers and city residents.

Is there a public awareness campaign on this issue?

It’s time the rubbish trucks are either replaced or sent for maintenance. Other countries with similar problems have done so.

Currently with the Covid-19 crisis, we should move forward in ensuring our hygiene standards are on par with the most advance countries.

City residents on their part should ensure that they cover their bins especially during rainy seasons. There is a need for cooperation and a deep sense of hygiene standards.

Therefore, the Association for Community and Dialogue urges the local government of Ipoh to take immediate action to contain the noxious water leakage from rubbish trucks and regard it as health and environmental hazard. – July 3, 2020.

* Ronald Benjamin is secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.