Padawan Municipal Council's (Majlis Perbandaran Padawan)

Yap (centre), Tan on his left and others flash their approval for the Kota Sentosa Ramadan bazaar. – Photo by Matthew Umpang KUCHING (March 5): Traders at the Kota Sentosa Town Square Ramadan Bazaar must adhere to food safety guidelines by selling their food within four hours to ensure hygiene and freshness, said Wilfred Yap. Speaking to reporters at the bazaar yesterday, the Kota Sentosa assemblyman highlighted the recommendations by the Health Department that food should not be displayed for more than four hours. He also encouraged members of the public to visit the bazaar starting from 3pm onwards. “The Ramadan bazaar runs from March 2 until March 30, covering the entire fasting month. The Health Department has advised that food should only be displayed for four hours. Anything beyond that is not considered healthy. “So, traders are encouraged not to start selling too early, and visitors should come around 3 or 4pm instead of 2pm,” he said. He also commended the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for their role in maintaining food hygiene and safety, noting that the council had conducted food preparation courses and safety briefings for traders. “Before approving hawkers, we ensure they have attended the food handling course and received the necessary typhoid vaccination. “The Health Department will also conduct random checks to ensure compliance,” he said. Yap revealed that the Kota Sentosa Ramadan bazaar is one of the first few bazaars launched by MPP this year, with a total of six venues across the council’s jurisdiction. He also emphasised the event’s significance as an attraction for both locals and tourists. “This bazaar is an annual event, and I’m glad that MPP chose this location as one of the first to be launched. Ramadan bazaars bring people together, and here in Kota Sentosa, visitors can enjoy a variety of food.” He also highlighted the role of Ramadan bazaars in fostering unity among Sarawakians, in that they gather people from all races. “The Premier of Sarawak always emphasises unity, and small initiatives like this contribute to that vision. “Through events like the Ramadan bazaar, we can strengthen our sense of community and work towards the goals of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030—a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Sarawak,” he said. This year’s Kota Sentosa Ramadan bazaar features 66 stalls offering a wide range of delicacies. Yap also acknowledged CCK for their corporate social responsibility efforts, as the company has been sponsoring aprons and caps for the traders since the first edition of the bazaar. With Yap during his walkabout at the bazaar yesterday was MPP chairman Tan Kai.      

(From fourth left) Ahmad, Tan, Yap and others prepare to toss the ‘yee sang’ during the event. KUCHING (Feb 21): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) will discuss the proposal by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to implement a community service order of up to 12 hours for minor littering offences. MPP chairman Tan Kai said the matter needed to be discussed first as the proposal was from the federal government through the KPKT. “We will discuss the matter first and announce the decision. If the state government, especially the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, agrees to the proposal, we will look into it. “If the policy is good and can really help reduce the habit of littering, we can discuss whether we follow it or not, and if it is implemented in Peninsular Malaysia, we will see the results first,” he said. Tan was met by reporters at the council’s Chinese New Year open house at the MPP Building yesterday. The ceremony featured Senator Dato Ahmad Ibrahim as the guest of honour, and was also attended by Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, councillors, community leaders and MPP staff. On Wednesday, KPKT in a statement said it plans to implement a community service order of up to 12 hours for minor garbage dumping offences through several amendments to relevant Acts. It said the amendments involved the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007, and the Roads, Drains and Buildings Act 1974. “Through the amendments, if a person fails to comply with the community service order, on conviction the person can be fined RM2,000 to RM10,000. “The current legal provisions under the relevant Acts permits a fine of RM500 to RM2,000 or imprisonment for up to one year,” the statement read. KPKT said the proposed community service order was aimed at raising awareness and educating the public on the importance of cleanliness, discouraging the irresponsible disposal of small waste in public areas.

Tan, flanked by Trienekens chief operating officer Alice Lee (left) and NREB Sarawak Corporate Affairs Division head Christhe Mansom, promote the joint campaign at a press conference. KUCHING (Feb 18): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak, Department of Environment (DOE) Sarawak, and Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (Trienekens) have joined hands to introduce a new campaign to assist the public safely dispose of small household waste containing hazardous elements. Through MPP’s Electrical and Electronic Waste (BEE) Collection Campaign, the accepted items include small lithium batteries, empty lubricant containers, empty paint containers, spent fluorescent tubes, aerosol cans, and pesticide containers. These household items with hazardous elements will be categorised as Other Household Waste (OHW) and collected on a quarterly basis, according to a press release. MPP chairman Tan Kai said the OHW campaign provides a safe, accessible way for residents to dispose of hazardous household waste responsibly, preventing improper disposal in landfills or green bins. “Our priority is to protect public health and the environment while promoting sustainable waste management,” he added. According to NREB Sarawak Controller of Environmental Quality Datu Jack Liam, hazardous household waste accounted for 4.2 per cent of domestic waste disposed of in household bins and landfills daily. He said NREB is excited to support this initiative in creating a systematic and sustainable solution for managing such waste, especially in view of the current limited safe disposal options available. Meanwhile, Trienekens Group chief executive officer Stephen Chin said the company looks forward to working with NREB, DOE, and MPP to introduce this initiative. “Through this campaign, OHW can be removed from the general waste stream, treated, and disposed of safely using prescribed methods, minimising its environmental impact.” The OHW collection campaign, which will commence on March 8, offers free and safe disposal for small household waste with hazardous elements for volume under 1kg. Volumes between 1kg to 3kg will incur a charge of RM2.30 per kg, while larger volumes will be subject to commercial rates based on the type of scheduled waste. The BEE Collection Campaign is an annual initiative by MPP that encourages residents to recycle and earn money while doing so. Supported by NREB Sarawak and DOE Sarawak, as well as vendors and non-governmental organisations such as Trienekens, DNS Waste Management, Kim Huang Enterprise and Tzu Chi Association Kuching, the campaign promotes recycling of materials including used cartons, plastics, aluminium, e-waste, used clothing, and cooking oil. By incorporating OHW into the campaign, the initiative further strengthens the municipality’s commitment to a circular economy and sustainable living practices. For more information, individuals can contact Trienekens Hotline on 082-612300.

MPP chairman Tan Kai (left) and others seen during a recent inspection on the project site. KUCHING (Feb 15): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is set to launch a facility in Batu Kawa here next month that focuses on environmental sustainability. Located within the MPP nursery compound in Desa Wira, the council, in a statement, said the centre would not only serve as a designated space for household waste segregation and recycling activities, but also an educational hub for environmental awareness. “The centre’s objectives are to promote waste segregation, recycling, and educate the public on responsible waste management and sustainable living practices,” it said. The project, according to MPP, is a joint initiative with the Tzu Chi Foundation Kuching, with the council supplying the building materials and the foundation being tasked to oversee its construction works through volunteer efforts. “MPP and Tzu Chi Foundation will both work on the data gathering and analysing process involving waste management trends in the areas within the council’s jurisdiction. “This data-driven approach will help refine waste management policies, to support our goals in making Padawan clean and in uplifting the residents’ quality of life,” it said. MPP attributed the success of the project to council-community collaboration.