Strainers/grease traps may be made compulsory at eateries

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File photo of a section of an eatery premises. Operators have been told not to throw food wastes, used oil or grease into drains.

Datu Dr Penguang Manggil

Councillor Sempurai Petrus Ngelai

SIBU: Ministry of Local Government and Housing may have to make the fitting of sinks with strainers or grease traps a mandatory condition for renewal of eatery licences if operators persist in discharging food waste, used oil or grease into drains.

“I appeal to all operators to comply with the existing by-Laws to help conserve and preserve our environment,” Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil told The Borneo Post yesterday.

“If the eatery owners are still adamant, we may have to make it a mandatory condition for renewal of eatery licences.”

Penguang was asked if it was mandatory for operators of public eateries to fit their sinks with strainers or grease traps to prevent food waste, used oil or grease being channelled into drains.

State Sewerage Services Department director Lau Hieng Ung recently disclosed that one of the challenges his department faced was lack of public awareness that they were to help the department ensure oil and grease were not discharged into the sewerage system at eateries.

According to Lau, they were working with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to educate the public, especially stall operators and eatery owners, to comply with local council bylaws.

Penguang, who is Marudi assemblyman, said State Sewerage Services Department is directly under his ministry now, so it will be a lot easier to coordinate such efforts.

“The by Laws are already laid down and the onus is on the local authorities to enforce them.”

Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman councillor Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said he had been informed by the Public Health Section that the council did not receive any directive to enforce grease traps on coffee shops and food outlets in areas within the council’s jurisdiction.

He, however, noted such directive for municipal councils and city councils.

“Nevertheless, the council will advise coffee shop and food outlet operators to attach a conventional food waste trap at least, or avoid throwing food waste from their sinks into the drains.

“I believe the district council, especially semi-urban council, will implement that rule in the near future to safeguard the environment and prevent blockage of drains,” Sempurai said.