Sabah: The Sabah government is considering the introduction of various incentives to encourage residents to participate in rubbish collection as part of a broader effort to improve cleanliness throughout the state. These incentives may include essential household goods or monetary rewards, aimed at fostering a culture of cleanliness among the populace.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Fairuz Renddan highlighted that this proposal emerged from discussions during a recent visit to Semporna with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The visit focused on addressing waste management challenges in villages and coastal areas. One proposed idea is to allow residents to exchange collected rubbish for items such as cooking oil or to receive cash incentives, thereby transforming public attitudes towards cleanliness.

In response to a supplementary question from Calvin Chong Sin Wun (Warisan-Elopura), who suggested a payment scheme of RM2 for every kilogramme of rubbish collected, Fairuz emphasized the importance of involving young people in these initiatives. Besides the waste collection services provided by concessionaires, the government is collaborating with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local communities to enhance cleanliness efforts around Semporna.

Earlier discussions with Jamil Hamzah (Warisan-Bugaya) revealed that plans for a new landfill in Semporna are progressing, with the project now reaching the contractor appointment stage. Fairuz further stressed the importance of ongoing clean-up operations, both on land and at sea, particularly around the popular tourist areas, to consistently maintain the cleanliness of these regions.