WASTE-ing in incinerator

The latest Auditor General's Report is actually very interesting if one takes the time to read it patiently. I'm sure your 'blood will start shooting upstairs' when you flip from one page to another. I discovered today, an overwhelming stench from Jabatan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal Negara. 

MINISTRY OF URBAN WELLBEING, HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT


14. Incinerator Plant Management

a. The Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government (KPKT) constructed incinerator plants using the autogenous combustion technology proposed by XCN Technology Sdn. Bhd. (XCNT) in Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Pangkor, Cameron Highlands and Pulau Tioman. Besides that, this technology was also used for the improvement of the Thermal Oxidation Plant (TOP)

Project in the Federal Territory of Labuan. These new plants were expected to solve the problem of solid waste management at respective locations. The Department of National Solid Waste Management (JPSPN) was the owner of the projects and was responsible for managing and operating the incinerator plant upon completion of the projects. Under the Ninth and Tenth Malaysia Plan, a total of RM199.09 million from RM337.45 million allocated by the Federal Government was spent on the construction of the incinerator plant projects. Audit findings revealed that overall, the management of incinerator plant projects by KPKT was not satisfactory. Among the weaknesses identified were as follows:

1. physical performance of the incinerator plant projects was not satisfactory where all 4 projects were given extension of time (EOT) between 240 to 693 days. Of the 4 projects, only one project was completed within the EOT, 2 projects were delayed for 46 and 104 days, while another project was still not completed as at 6 May 2013, which was 330 days after the EOT. Besides that, only one incinerator plant was operating while the other 2 were still not operating after completion with delay between 223 to 642 days;
   
   
2. the operation of Pulau Pangkor Incinerator Plant was not satisfactory because it did not operate autogenously, the set temperature range could not be achieved and output could not be produced at the fixed rate;

3. weaknesses in the management of the plant operation and maintenance contract due to delay in finalizing the incinerator plant operation contract documents and the manual on the plant operation and maintenance was not prepared yet;
   
   
4. KPKT spent RM7.23 million for Labuan TOP refurbishment project although it was still in the process of arbitration with the previous contractor for TOP construction wherein the project had to be terminated at the end;
   
   
5. flaws in the design caused the incinerator plant not to operate optimally;
   
   
6. non-compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements;
   
   
7. Testing and Commissioning (T & C) of incineration plants were not conducted properly, and
   
   
8. non-compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Factories and Machinery Act.
   

b. It is recommended that the respective parties take the following actions for improvements:

1. KPKT should provide the basis of effective management of solid waste from the source (house/premises) and raise awareness to the people about the importance of separation of solid waste from the house so that the quality of waste sent to incineration plants could be improved to overcome the quality of solid waste‟s calorific value (cv) and moisture content;
   
   
2. KPKT/JPSPN/XCNT should improve solid waste treatment process to ensure that the quality of solid waste (cv and moisture content) complies with the standards required before being burned by the incinerator plants so that autogenous combustion could be achieved and diesel consumption could be minimized;
   
   
3. KPKT should ensure that incinerator plant‟s operators possess the skills as required by acceptable standard during handling the solid waste in order to comply with the operation standard, environmental regulations as well as safety and health regulations. Relevant training should also be given from time to time;
   
   
4. KPKT and JPSPN should monitor closely the compliance with the terms of the contract, particularly in managing T & C process; compliance with EIA issued by the Department of Environment; quality of construction; compliance with the laws in order to ensure that the Government gets value for money;

5. JPSPN should provide a guideline to oversee and monitor the management of the incinerator plant operations so that all the rules are followed and the plant is always being operated safely;
   
   
6. JPSPN should establish a mechanism to ensure full compliance with the operating conditions of the contract prior to payment to the contractor; and
   
   
7. JPSPN should create a committee consisting of agencies directly involved in the monitoring of the incinerator plant operations including the Department of Environment, Safety and Health Department and the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing. In addition, the committee should also help JPSPN to outline the conditions to be included in the contract of operation and maintenance of incineration plants. Benchmarking with successful incinerator‟s operators could be made to ensure that the incinerator plant is properly managed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 

Postscript of the Auditor General's Report says...

As audits conducted by the National Audit Department are based on samples and certain scopes, Secretary Generals of Ministry/Heads of Department/Chief Executives should carry out thorough examination to ascertain whether other activities have the same weaknesses and thereby take corrective actions and make improvements. In relation to this, other than carrying out evaluation on internal controls, the Internal Audit Unit should carry out procurement and performance audits on the management of programmes/activities/projects to ensure that they are implemented efficiently, economically and the stated objectives are achieved. 
Ketua Setiausaha of the ministry, the first woman KSU of Kementerian Kesejahteraan Bandar, Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan, should have started looking into this 'rubbish' as the official ministry website says she is also the Pengerusi Perbadanan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal Dan Pembersihan Awam. (this could be the best opportunity for pembersihan, Puan)

DG Datuk Dr Nadzri Yahaya Ph.D(doctorate in conservation of dolphins?) should know a thing or two about these 'rubbish' as the AG says "The Department of National Solid Waste Management (JPSPN) was the owner of the projects and was responsible for managing and operating the incinerator plant upon completion of the projects".

I'm pretty sure the new 'no nonsense' Minister Datuk Rahman Dahlan would also look into this 'rubbish' and take the necessary steps, including roping in the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission, to stop these humiliating stench. 

Stop it before it becomes a scandal like the infamous NFC lembu saga. 

"In other countries, they would take action on individuals for public misconduct. If their action was deliberate and their negligence caused the losses of millions of ringgit, they can be penalised for that.
"However today, we can't charge people for negligence and stupidity," he said, drawing laughs from the crowd. - Who is the he?

What should we do with those 'little napoleons' who act stupid, but are brilliantly corrupt to the core? 

Ada yang makan duit sampah jugak ker? 

Evergreen oldies for the night

Reviving the spirit of Umno

Listen to Akram HERE

Melayu Lama wrote - Vote Akhramsyah Sanusi for Youth Chief. Unlike kj, Akhram actually has a job, pays his taxes, contributes to EPF and actually has an idea what the wage earning crowd go through to some extent. 


Couldn't agree more, or less, with Melayu Lama. Akhram, who is Umno stalwart Tan Sri Sanusi Junid's son, is an individual with both his feet firmly on the ground. He certainly is not a 'crown prince' at the helm due to family ties or billionaire friends. He is certainly born and bred in this country.
Akhram's battle cry for the upcoming battle for the Umno Youth Chief post' is 'Hidup Melayu'. It may sound old and rusty to some but the soul of the community lies in that keramat battle cry.

Some young liberals in Umno have started making fun of the 'Hidup Melayu' slogan/spirit that Akhram has officially revived. Hidup Melayu may sound kolot to some Mat Salleh wannabe or centrist neo-liberal but remember that it is the same battle cry that reverberates in Dewan Merdeka every time the Umno family gets together. 

p/s Came across an interesting Dec 2011 piece by Datuk Johan Jaafar about the need for Umno to go back to its basics. You don't have to drag Umno to the centre for it to be relevant. 

The article makes perfect sense now, as it did then in 2011. Umno and those wanting to be leaders in Umno should just get back to basics and serve those folks who vote/voted them in. 

p/s 1 - A little advice for incumbents and aspirants - Don't be corrupt and corrupt those around you. Don't splash cash for votes. You can't survive for long when your sole strength is money and nothing else. Most importantly, try to earn a honest living before wanting to be a leader. 

Just the two of us

Prime Minister seeking Shahrizat's help?

Yayasan Kebajikan Negara which was missing from cyberspace is back. YKN's upgraded website appears interesting and refreshing but some vital matters of YKN remains a big ?

YKN's corporate information says the foundation remains under the jurisdiction of the Women, Family and Community Development Minister. 

The current minister is Datuk Rohani Karim(pic) from Sarawak. Rohani is a feisty politician from Sarawak BN's lynch pin, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Sarawak ( yup, she is not from Umno and certainly not from Wanita Umno)

Information available on YKN's website suggests that former Minister and current Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil still calls the shot at YKN. Shahrizat, the last I checked, is no longer any minister. She was recently appointed as the Prime Minister's Advisor, an appointment which relates more to the upcoming Umno polls than anything else. (I think its a bad decision though )

Now the BIG ? is... 

Why is Shahrizat still in-charge of a national foundation which falls under the purview of a specific ministry and cabinet minister? 

Was it a cabinet decision or the decision of the Prime Minister who briefly held the Women, Family and Community Development portfolio ( after Shahrizat's senatorship was not renewed) to re-appoint the Wanita Chief into YKN or did Shahrizat do it herself?

Talk is that the PM had asked Shahrizat to 'help' helm the YKN. Is this true, did the PM do it or is someone 'selling' Najib Razak's name? 

Could the PM make such a decision, if indeed it is true, when the ministry is helmed by a politician from a powerful BN component from Sarawak? Is it wise if not right or legal? 

SEVENTEEN of the 21 trustees of YKN are those 'appointed by the minister'. Which minister appointed them... Shahrizat, Najib Razak or Rohani Karim? 

Could somebody in some position of authority, the Prime Minister included, provide some clear answers to the above queries? 

EARLY WARNING: This could turn out to be a political time-bomb if left unattended. It is just simmering, but at a very dangerous level.

TQ


p/s Who says Datuk Rohani Karim of PBB is not fit to lead YKN?

Staying sane when it heats up

We all know that the 'status quo' mantra for the three Vice Presidents of Umno in the upcoming party elections didn't go down well at the grassroots. A similar 'no-contest' mantra for the top two posts in the party too received loads of criticism but the greater sense and responsibility towards the party prevailed. 

Unity, they agreed, was more important than jostling for the top most position.

Even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad fully supported the 'no-contest for No 1 & 2' stance as not to create further divisions in the party which remains as the lynch pin of Barisan Nasional. Privately Dr Mahathir explained that if Umno were to break up this time, the BN will face a major earthquake as almost all other components, in the peninsula at least, were at their weakest point. This message was later disseminated to all and sundry.

Simply put, the political terrain and situation was fragile for a contest for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister's post. The implications were not on Umno alone. 

If Umno is weakened due to serious power struggles, then BN would most probably suffer a similar fate. The government faced a real threat of 'falling'. That was the ultimate risk.   

So, the no contest plea for DS Najib Razak and TS Muhyiddin Yassin's posts was gradually accepted at all levels, despite some grumblings here and there. 

Next came the 3 VPs. A similar attempt didn't really go down well from day one. The argument that Umno would break-up and be weakened if there were contests for the VPs posts couldn't hold water. Eventually former Malacca chief minister DS Ali Rustam and Felda 'tycoon' TS Isa Samad voiced their intentions to vie for the VPs post. 

As usual there were rumbles and grumbles. There were claims that the two were planted to prevent other lesser souls from entering the race. Talk was that the two would withdraw their nominations within the 72hour withdrawal period after nominations and give the incumbents a free ride. There were deals and offerings, but eventually both the veterans filed their nominations (and have not withdrawn from the race). 

A few days before nominations, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir also announced his intention to contest for the Umno vice-president's post. (video above)

The ex-chief minister and Felda tycoon's declaration that they were going for the VP seats received subdued response from Umno's top leaders but when news of Mukhriz's intentions broke out, there were mini earthquakes everywhere. It is a fact that even the incumbents were so rattled that one of them ditched out a rather telling advice. 

The once naughty (by his own admission) leader said Mukhriz should seek the blessing or consult the party president before wanting to contest for a VP's seat. It appeared like a well intended advice but the fact that a similar advice was missing for both Isa and Ali Rustam was glaring. 

Fast forward. Now there are six leaders vying for the three VP seats. The three incumbents are good men. There must be good men among the three aspirants too.

Good men, particularly respected politicians and leaders, must not stoop too low especially when it is your own party elections. You must not stoop too low because the contest is within your own family and not against outsiders. 

If you are campaigning, tell Umno members why they should choose you. Explain your track record and your plans for the party and this beloved nation of ours. 

Don't go around bitching about or ditching out unsolicited advice to your fellow contenders. Don't go around ridiculing the need for Umno to rejuvenate from within just because age if not on your side. 

Be wise because win or lose you are still a leader of Umno. Don't drag your fellow aspirant's father into the equation and ridicule the old man.  If others start digging your past shit.... it would be a very shitty affair. 

You know, some people can be very naughty too.

Thank you. Selamat bertanding secara bersih dan berhemah. Jangan lah kurang ajar!   


p/s There seems to be all kinds of claims and counter claims in the Wanita and Pemuda race too. 

Remembering Kit Siang's drama

UPDATED!




... as DAP crawls deeper into the dungeon!  

Luyang DAP rep quits party

September 27, 2013

Fed-up with infighting in the state, Luyang (Sabah) DAP state assemblyman has thrown in the towel declaring that he is quitting the opposition party and becoming an independent elected representative.

UPDATED

PETALING JAYA: Luyang DAP state assemblyman Hiew King Cheu has quit the opposition party to become the country’s first independent state assemblyman for this term.

He apparently made the decision after consulting supporters and friends.

The former Sabah DAP chief is expected to tender his resignation letter to the party today.

- FMT