Garbage strewn across a street in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district on Tuesday. Heng Chivoan
With the annual Pchum Ben celebrations underway and rubbish collection company Cintri workers set to enjoy time off, three ministries have formed a joint committee to be responsible for fines collected for littering.
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Porn Moniroth and Minister of Environment Say Sam Al released a joint statement on September 10.
It said the committee would be “in charge of fining those who violate Chapter 7 of the sub-decree on Management of Garbage and Solid Waste in Cities”.
Chapter 7, which outlines the penalties for individuals, businesses and companies that do not comply with the sub-decree, was passed in 1999.
Punishments include a 20,000 riel fine for tourists who do not dispose of their rubbish properly, 50,000 riel for vendors who dispose of waste improperly and 100,000 riel for housing owners or vendors who burn rubbish, among others.
The ministers announced that 50 per cent of the collected fines will be deposited into the state budget, while 44 per cent would be allocated for lower administration officials.
Environment departments are to receive five per cent while the remaining one per cent would be designated for financial departments.
“Capital and district administration officials must spend six months to inform the public of the meaning of the joint statement from the day it is released.
“Moreover, they must designate places to receive complaints from citizens who are not satisfied at being fined,” the statement said.
Phnom Penh produces 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes of waste each day, including 600 tonnes of hazardous plastic waste. The problem has been attributed in part to the Kingdom’s
economic boom and a resurgence of its middle class.
“It is time to enforce the law against people who refuse to follow instructions because we do not want solid waste everywhere in our country.
“More importantly, we want our country to have clean water, fresh air and beauty,”
Dangkor Dumpsite Management Committee director Channarith told The Post.
Ministry of Environment spokesman Neth Pheaktra told The Post that Phnom Penh Municipal Hall and other civic administrations across the country are allocated a package to help keep their cities clean.
Pheaktra, also secretary of state for the Ministry of Environment, he said the authorities must deploy more rubbish bins for people to use.
He said: “The joint-announcement will improve solid waste management so that public gatherings spaces nationwide are clean and hygienic. It will make the country a better place to live and attract tourists here too”.
However, Rubbish Youths founder San Dara Vit was unenthusiastic.
Dara Vit said: “I have little hope for the joint-announcement despite promises to educate citizens on waste management. It’s more important for Cambodia to have an innovative waste management solution at this time.”
The Phnom Penh Municipal Hall reminded citizens that they may face fines during the holiday season as Cintri employees will not be working until the end of Pchum Ben.
“Cintri employees will not work from September 27-29 during the Pchum Ben festival because they have to return to their hometowns in the provinces. This creates some complications for garbage collection and transportation.
“Residents, business people, and citizens . . . please kindly understand the situation. Please stow your waste responsibly in your homes during this time and do not throw rubbish on public streets,” a letter from the Phnom Penh Municipal Hall said.
