KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government must be firm in instructing local authorities to take public cleanliness seriously in their jurisdictions, says state opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
He told the Sabah Legislative Assembly sitting on Wednesday (Dec 17) that it was “unrealistic” to make elected representatives responsible for town cleanliness when waste collection and enforcement fell under the responsibility of local authorities.
“It is unrealistic to expect an MP to be in Semporna 24 hours a day, or to set up another outfit just to solve the problem there,” he said during the sitting when rubbish management in Semporna was debated amid public criticism and recent remarks by federal leaders.
Shafie, who is the Semporna MP, said he had previously paid individuals up to RM30 each to collect rubbish voluntarily, but stressed that such efforts should not replace the role of local councils.
“Local authorities are paid salaries, have vehicles and must follow proper guidelines. They have to do their job,” he said, adding that cleanliness was crucial for Semporna as a key tourism destination.
“If the area is clean, tourists will come and the government benefits. It cannot all be pushed to the MP,” he said.
The issue was raised during the winding-up speech of Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Arif following a question from Datuk Jaujan Sambakong (Warisan-Sulabayan) on waste management enforcement.
Arifin said the Sabah Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Enactment 2022 is not yet in effect as the ministry is still finalising related regulations, adding that the enactment is targeted to come into force next year, subject to legal and administrative preparations and gazettement.
Addressing Semporna, Arifin said the state government is giving serious attention to cleanliness in the district, particularly its coastal waters, with rubbish collection and cleaning services in Semporna’s waters scheduled to begin next year.
He also acknowledged that Semporna currently lacks a proper landfill, with waste disposal carried out on rented private land as a temporary measure. A permanent 50-acre landfill site has been identified at Mount Pock, Semporna, subject to technical processes and approvals.
“The state government is confident that these phased measures will ensure that policies and services related to waste management are implemented in an orderly, effective and sustainable manner,” he said.
Jaujan questioned whether Members of Parliament should be blamed for rubbish collection, saying waste management has long fallen under the purview of local authorities and that the lack of a specific enactment previously had hindered enforcement.
Arifin responded that keeping areas clean was a shared responsibility involving local authorities, elected representatives and the community.
The issue drew national attention after Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming criticised Shafie over Semporna’s cleanliness, urging Shafie to ensure Semporna does not become the dirtiest town in Asia.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke also made similar remarks, saying Shafie had failed to keep Semporna clean and citing Sandakan MP Vivian Wong’s handling of the Kampung Sim Sim rubbish problem as an example of what could be achieved through firm coordination and leadership.
Both ministers made the remarks during the campaigning period for the 17th Sabah state election held on Nov 29.
