It’s SWCorp’s numbers, not mine, says Nga on rubbish left by July 26 rally

KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has defended his statement that 20 metric tonnes of rubbish were left behind following the “Turun Anwar” rally.

Nga said the figures were based on findings by the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), whose personnel were mobilised on the ground.

“The numbers did not come from me, but from SWCorp. Hundreds of workers were mobilised to clear the rubbish after the rally,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28).

Nga added that he did not deny the efforts of *Unit Amal* members who also helped with the cleanup.

“I appreciate their help and thank them. But I also cannot deny that 20 metric tonnes of rubbish were left behind across Sogo, Dataran Merdeka, and even Petaling Street.”

He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Awang Hashim (PN–Pendang), who disputed the figures and asked the minister to clarify.

“It’s not true. We checked everything,” said the Opposition MP.

Nga had previously shared the cleanup figures in a post on X (formerly Twitter), which drew criticism from some quarters.

Rebutting Awang’s remarks, Nga reiterated that the numbers came directly from SWCorp and were not fabricated.

“Even their chief executive officer was on the ground working late into the night,” he said, while stressing the ministry’s firm stance against littering.

The rally, held on July 26, reportedly drew a crowd of about 18,000, according to Kuala Lumpur police.