IPOH: Greater efforts are needed to keep the city clean considering its ranking of 787th out of 1,000 cities worldwide in terms of environment, says mayor Rumaizi Baharin (pic).
He said this ranking was according to the Oxford Global Cities Index 2024.
“The Ipoh City Council has come up with several programmes, one incorporating the 'doughnut economics' (for sustainable development) concept, as well as recycling projects.
“Our awareness levels on the environment still need a push, as many people are under the impression that (cleanliness) is only the job of the council, and not the community.
“A good example is Japan, where the people carry out community work to ensure the environment is clean,” he told reporters after the council's full board meeting here on Tuesday (July 30).
Rumaizi added that people in Ipoh are still throwing rubbish everywhere.
“This should not be the attitude. We should have a high-performance mindset.
“If we cannot be on par with Japan... (at least) follow our neighbouring country, Singapore, which is good enough,” he added.
Rumaizi said Kota Kinabalu in Sabah was ranked 140th, meaning that the people there were more environmentally conscious compared to the citizens here.
“The council has introduced many programmes to keep our city clean, but the people must also change their attitude,” he added.
On another matter, Rumaizi said the council would be promoting tourism, medical tourism and education in Makassar, Indonesia.
He said Ipoh had ties with cities in Japan and China.
“I hope this collaboration (with Makassar) can start by next year.
“We have several medical facilities that are already up, while the Sunway Medical Centre is expected to be completed by year-end, and a rehabilitation centre will be up by next year,” he added.
