MBI Declutters Senior Citizen’s Home For Fifth Time Since 2020

IPOH, 19 Jun (Bernama) -- The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has conducted a clean-up operation for the fifth time at a residential premises in Jalan Merpati, Taman Ipoh here, which had been used as a collection point for recyclable goods and a dumping ground.

Ipoh mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah in a statement today said the operation, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), was carried out due to continuous complaints regarding activities at the premises, despite two legal actions having been taken against the premises owner since 2020.

"However, she (a 71-year-old elderly woman) continues the activity of collecting recyclable items and stores them in her yard, causing disturbances to the local community.

"For this operation, the involvement of JKM is an additional initiative to find a more effective and humane solution, especially to help the elderly woman involved so that the image of the surrounding area and the city as a whole is not tarnished," he said.

He said the operation, which began at 9 am and involved 26 MBI personnel as well as nine JKM members and volunteers, was carried out smoothly without any incidents, and the premises owner also fully cooperated with the operation team.

This fifth operation was led by MBI council member Lam Yew Tact, MBI City legal advisor Syahrul ‘Azrin Ghazali, and JKM representative Syed Abdul Halim Hilmy Syed Omar.

According to Zamakhshari, three five-tonne capacity lorries were used to dispose of the waste at the disposal site, while recyclable items were collected and sold with the help of JKM volunteers.

The proceeds from the sale have been handed over to the elderly woman as a form of welfare support.

"The council (MBI) hopes that such an integrated approach can serve as an example in addressing social issues based on public complaints holistically, with strict enforcement actions and a prudent welfare approach," he added.

-- BERNAMA