The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), through the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp), organized the Launch Ceremony of the Urban Community Sustainability Program (PKKB) at the Carnival Community PPR @ Rumah Pangsa Jalan Hospital, Ipoh, Perak. The event was officiated by YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming (YBKM), Minister of Housing and Local Government, at Rumah Pangsa Jalan Hospital, Ipoh.
The objective of PKKB is to spread the benefits of enhancing sustainable human capital through the implementation of urban community programs nationwide. To achieve this initiative, five goals have been outlined for PKKB:
1. SWCorp targets 70% of premises in 17 PPRs to implement the Zero Waste Community Program (KOSIS) by 2025.
2. A target recycling rate of 40% by 2025.
3. Establishing KOSIS Centers as mini hubs for awareness programs for Resident Associations (KRT) and local residents’ associations.
4. Increasing income for the B40 group.
5. Creating more balanced development, especially regarding the environment and social equality.
YBKM announced that during the implementation of the KOSIS Program from 2020 to 2023 in 17 PPRs, 461,685.64kg of recyclable items worth RM138,505.00 and 51,496.98kg of used cooking oil worth RM144,188.00 were successfully collected and sold.
The implementation of the KOSIS Center initiative at PPR Rumah Pangsa, Jalan Hospital Ipoh, Perak, commenced on March 20, 2020, with the participation of 283 units or 48.05% of occupied premises. Records from 2020 to December 2023 show that 33,171.26kg of recyclable items, 4,589.70kg of used cooking oil, and 6,225.40kg of food waste were recorded with sales totaling RM23,558.60 during the program’s implementation period. Additionally, a community garden has been established adjacent to the KOSIS Center to enable residents to cultivate and sell their produce.
Through the Community Garden Program, a harvest of 351.5kg with sales totaling RM1,684.80 and sales of compost fertilizer totaling 74kg with sales totaling RM370.00 were recorded. This achievement is noteworthy and demonstrates the awareness and willingness of residents in PPR to engage in recycling activities.
YBKM also announced the establishment of the first Drive Thru Recycling Centre (DTRC) KOSIS at Rumah Pangsa Jalan Hospital, Ipoh, Perak. This initiative aims to create more sustainable, user-friendly communities and facilitate local communities in sending segregated recyclables from their homes. SWCorp will conduct a study to assess the feasibility of providing DTRC facilities at 16 other KOSIS Centers. So far, 104 DTRCs have been successfully established nationwide, with 74 units in states adopting Act 672, while 30 units are pending.
YBKM added that the Ipoh KOSIS Center will be designated as a Zero Waste Mini Community Hub. This center will serve as the primary reference point for Resident Associations (KRT) and local agencies in their efforts to carry out beneficial activities for the community, especially in cleanliness and recycling practices.
KPKT and SWCorp have outlined directions for the KOSIS Program to enhance local community involvement and engagement in managing KOSIS Centers more effectively. The PPR Rumah Pangsa KOSIS Center has been selected as the first KOSIS Center to be handed over to Resident Associations this year. The handover of other KOSIS Centers to communities and Resident Associations will be coordinated gradually starting in 2024. Once handed over to Resident Associations, KOSIS Centers will be managed voluntarily by Resident Associations and monitored periodically by SWCorp to ensure smooth recycling activities aligned with the government’s aspirations.
YBKM stated, “SWCorp will hand over the management of KOSIS Centers to Joint Management Bodies (JMBs) or local Resident Associations once the awareness and community engagement in recycling reach a high level.”
Also present at the event were Datuk Saidatu Akhma binti Hassan, Deputy Secretary-General (Planning and Sustainable Environment) of KPKT, Mr. Hee Loy Sian, Chairman of SWCorp; Dato’ Ahmad Husaini bin Abdul Rahman, CEO of SWCorp; Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin @ Md Daud, Mayor of Ipoh, and Mr. Mohamed Akmal bin Dahalan, CEO of the Perak Housing and Property Board.
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