Deputy Sibu police chief Supt Martin Koo said such requirement came following the extension of the Second Hand Dealers Act to the state last year.

According to him, his men are now working on the ground to ensure that all local scrap metal dealers apply for the licence.

“The dealers need to apply (for licence) through their respective district police. From there, these applications would be forwarded to the police commissioner for approvals.

“As the requirement is something new to local dealers, we are giving (them) a certain time window to apply for the licence.

“Apply immediately. Do not wait until we start taking action – by then, it would be too late,” he said yesterday, acknowledging that there are dozens of scrap metal dealers across this town.

On this, he said there was a concern that some of them were operating collection centres within residential areas.

“Definitely, that is not the place for such business.”

Koo said Sibu police would hold a forum with local dealers soon, together with governmental bodies and departments such as Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Land and Survey Department as well as Fire and Rescue Department, to explain the requirements for the scrap metal licence.

According to SMC records, there are currently 25 recycling centres in residential areas here that receive recyclable items including scrap metal, while another 29 deal in used automotive parts.

Meanwhile SMC secretary Hii Chang Kee, when contacted yesterday, noted that there was still a misconception with regard to the application for the scrap metal licence.

“No, it (authority to approve application of licence) is not with SMC. The Second Hand Dealers Act has been extended to Sarawak; it is the authority of district police (to approve),” he said.

However, Hii said the council could act on public complaints against the nuisance caused by these scrap metal dealers.

“We do receive lots of such complaints against these dealers, whose operations are an eyesore in many neighbourhoods. Some dealers tend to indiscriminately leave metal pieces lying around, especially by the roadside.

“The SMC has acted promptly against these complaints,” he added.