By Diana Abd Wahab
SHAH ALAM, Jan 9 — In an effort to make Ampang Jaya a livable city, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is committed to improving the cleanliness of the areas under its administration.
Its President Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said that one of the measures taken is through enforcement actions against perpetrators who litter everywhere.
He said that the local authority will not compromise against individuals who throw away garbage illegally.
“We will also hold toilet cleanliness campaigns in strategic locations such as petrol stations, food stalls, mosques and houses of worship.
“In fact, MPAJ has also organised a cleanliness competition among the owners and managers of gas stations, stalls and mosques to increase the public’s awareness that cleanliness is a shared responsibility,” he said in a statement.
Previously, MPAJ said in a statement that owners of empty houses or land around Ampang Jaya can be compounded if they fail to clean their respective premises within 14 days of the notice being issued.
The local authority said that the cleaning was done to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and the risk of the presence of poisonous animals if the owner disobeyed the notice.
Meanwhile, MPAJ said it will issue a compound or fine against food traders around Ampang Jaya who do not wear face masks.
Mohd Fauzi said the action will be implemented in stages since MPAJ has already distributed notices at hawker premises and sites within its administrative area.
“Apart from that, a notice was also given via e-mail to all licence holders and a notification has been uploaded on the MPAJ website,” he said.
Mohd Fauzi added that periodic inspections will also be carried out as a measure to ensure food operators comply with the rules.
He said that all food operators and hawkers must comply with the directive since it has become a condition in the licence for food premises and hawkers in the MPAJ area.
“Compound action under MPAJ Industrial Trade Bylaws (UUK) MPAJ 2007 4(4)(c) for the offence of violating licence conditions can be imposed if food operators in the MPAJ area fail to comply with the instructions of wearing face masks,” he said.
In December 2022, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said hawkers and restaurant operators in the state must wear face masks starting January 1, 2023 to improve the level of cleanliness in food handling.
He said the approach can also increase customer confidence in addition to avoiding the spread of Covid-19 and food poisoning issues.
