Incinerator to overcome Redang's garbage woes

KUALA TERENGGANU - The Terengganu government will use the incineration process to overcome garbage problems on Pulau Redang.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said that in a meeting several months ago, it was decided that this system be adopted to replace the old method of using boats to transport garbage from the island to the mainland.

He said all approval processes at the Local Authority (PBT) level have been completed, and work to construct the incinerator facility is expected to begin in one or two months.

"We have conducted the pilot study in Pulau Redang, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UNDP has approved one area to be used as a garbage collection point,” he said at the State-Level Excellent Service Award (APC) ceremony at Wisma Darul Iman here today.

A total of 60 recipients received cash prizes of RM5,000 each.

Ahmad Samsuri said apart from managing garbage more efficiently, the use of the incinerator

can indirectly avoid sea pollution and its adverse effects on marine life.

Therefore, he said the state government is not too concerned about cost-savings as the main focus is solving the issue of garbage piles which can affect the people’s health and well-being.

"All garbage will be processed there (Pulau Redang incinerator). There will no longer be issues such as garbage from boats falling into the sea due to the waves or when blown by strong winds that will subsequently cause pollution and affect marine life.

"But we will educate tourists and residents in Pulau Redang about the incinerator system so that they will be disciplined. Without discipline, the technology is meaningless," he added.

Yesterday, the media reported that Kampung Baru residents in Pulau Redang are increasingly anxious over the problem of garbage heaps on the tourist island.

As such, the authorities were urged to take immediate action for their well-being and to protect the state's tourism image. - BERNAMA