MBKT pays RM40,000 to clean up 130 tonnes of waste at RXZ Members 8.0 site

Kuala Terengganu City Mayor Lizan Che Mamat said MBKT will study a proposal to make it compulsory for programme organisers to submit a solid waste management plan as a condition for approval of any large-scale event. (Picture from Facebook) KUALA TERENGGANU: The Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) incurred a cost of RM40,000 for cleaning operations at the RXZ Members 8.0 programme site at the Gong Badak Motor Circuit near Kuala Nerus which took place from Friday to Saturday.

Kuala Terengganu City Mayor, Lizan Che Mamat, said the cost involved overtime pay for personnel, additional lorry trips and operating hours at the waste disposal site in Sungai Ikan, here. Although they had provided rubbish bins at the location, he said, there were still some participants who littered. "About 130 tonnes of solid waste, mainly food and drink plastic, were collected at the RXZ Members 8.0 programme site.

So, we had to increase the number of waste collection trips and MBKT personnel also had to work overtime to ensure the cleanliness of the city. "We understand that the number of rubbish bins provided may not be sufficient because the number of participants who came exceeded 100,000 people, but the trash should be collected in one place, not littered," he said when contacted.

Following this, Lizan said, MBKT will study a proposal to make it compulsory for organisers of any programme to submit a solid waste management plan as a condition for approval of any large-scale event. He said that the cleaning deposit rate will also be reassessed to reduce the burden on local authorities. "We very much welcome the organisation of any large-scale activity or programme in Terengganu because it will boost the tourism and economy sectors.

However, we want to remind everyone that the task of keeping cleanliness is a shared responsibility."