MIRI: Mayor Adam Yii on Tuesday appealed for greater public cooperation to tackle illegal dumping of rubbish in the city.
Addressing public complaints regarding uncollected rubbish he explained the scope of Miri City Council’s (MCC) responsibilities, stating that the council is tasked with the collection of household waste deposited in designated bins.
He said larger items, such as furniture, garden waste, and tree trimmings, fall outside the council’s jurisdiction.
“Strictly speaking, household waste refers to what is placed in the bins provided. Items like sofas, furniture, or garden trimmings are not part of the council’s collection responsibility. Residents need to arrange for proper disposal of these items themselves,” Yii explained.
But he acknowledged the seriousness of illegal dumping in the city and assured residents that the council is actively addressing the issue.
“We cannot leave this situation unattended. The council is organising clean-up efforts, but maintaining a clean city requires everyone’s cooperation. We cannot depend on the council alone,” he said.
Yii appealed to residents to take responsibility for their waste and urged the media and local politicians to play a positive role in educating the public on proper waste disposal practices.
“Illegal dumping is a serious problem, and we need the support of everyone – residents, the media, and even politicians – to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviour.”
He also revealed plans to combat illegal dumping through increased surveillance, including the installation of CCTV cameras, and encouraged the public to report incidents of illegal waste disposal to the council.
“Fines and enforcement measures are in place, but these are secondary. The primary focus is for everyone to understand what they can and cannot do. By working together, we can make Miri a cleaner and better city,” he said.
