PETALING JAYA: The last Saturday of every September will now be ‘Malaysia Cleaning Day’.
The Cabinet has unanimously agreed to designate the day to reduce pollution and boost cleanliness starting with a nationwide event to be held this Sept 27 headed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry
"The approach of the event will be whole of nation by the ministry, department, federal agencies, state government, local authorities, educational institutes, private entities and other entities according to their suitability and capacity," said minister Nga Kor Ming in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 12).
"This event is in line with the initiative of the United Nations which has decided to recognise Sept 20 as World Cleaning Day to handle the issue of worsening issue of pollution and create an awareness among the community on public cleanliness.
"Malaysia is now a tourist destination of choice where this initiative aims to lift the nation's image as a clean, beautiful and peaceful country which will continue to attract tourists from all over the world.
He said the implementation of Malaysia Cleaning Day 2024 set a new record under the Malaysian Book of Records for the largest participation nationwide of 58,007 people, solid waste collection of 4,646 metric tonnes and the longest gotong royong from 8am to 8pm.
"The target for 2025 is 100,000 participants involving school students with the cooperation of the Education Ministry as we need to cultivate the cleanliness culture from school," added Nga.
