Large scale cleanliness campaign in Sandakan proposed
THE Local Government and Housing Ministry will look into a suggestion to conduct a large scale cleanliness campaign in Sandakan in the future.
Its assistant minister, Datuk Zakaria Edris, said this in response to Karamunting assemblyman Charles O Pang Su Pin on the government’s initiatives to ensure cleanliness and health practices are at a satisfactory level in Sandakan.
Zakaria said the ministry through the Sandakan Municipal Council had continued to implement year-long cleanliness campaigns to ensure cleanliness and health practices are always at a satisfactory level in the district.
Throughout 2015, 18 gotong royong campaigns were held in Sandakan, which involved Taman Mawar, Taman Nuri, Taman Bahagia, Karamunting, Taman Fajar, Taman Warisan Batu Sapi, Pantai Pulau Berhala, Taman Indah Jaya and Taman Damai.
The district health office, residents and Sandakan Municipal Council members also took part in the gotong royong, he added.
“The main purpose of the gotong royong is to promote public participation in efforts to make sure the residential and surrounding areas are kept clean. It also aims to eradicate the Aedes mosquito breeding grounds,” said Zakaria during the question-and-answer session of the 14th Sabah State Legislative sitting yesterday.
Besides enforcing the anti-litter bylaws, which imposes a RM30 minimum compound on offenders found littering indiscriminately, the district also adopted the anti-litterbug campaign, which is a combination of awareness and enforcement.
Among the campaign components are the Litter Free Office declaration as well as the Litter Free Event (LiFE) and Litter Free School concept, added the assistant minister.