Batang Kali landslide: Cleaning staff collect a tonne of garbage at the scene per day

BATANG KALI - Although often considered a mundane task, the responsibility of the cleaning staff is clearly important in ensuring a smooth execution of the search and rescue (SAR) operation at the Father's Organic Farm, here.

A cleaning personnel, Khairul Hafizi, 42, said he and seven other members had been at the scene since the first day the tragedy happened on Dec 16.

According to him, the unpredictable weather and the narrow route crowded with various personnel vehicles were the main challenges during his service at the location

"In a single day, we will make two to three "trips” of garbage collection at the SAR location, usually once in the afternoon and once at night.

"The main challenge is the scorching hot weather while if it rains, we can't do our job. Plus, the narrow road makes it a little difficult for us to move.

"There’s an estimated one tonne (of garbage) a day, sometimes up to two tonnes that we collect every day," he told Sinar Harian when met at the scene of the incident on Saturday.

Khairul said they worked in two shifts, in the morning and at night with a manpower of eight staff from KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) and Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS).

He said the highest collection of solid waste they collected was on the first day which was about three tonnes as many personnel and media practitioners stayed there.

Khairul who has served for five years with the company said he and his colleagues were always ready to serve if the SAR operation has to be extended.