KEPALA BATAS: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has allocated RM6.427mil for the implementation of the Environmental Health Campaign across 635 local authority localities nationwide for the period of 2021 to 2026.
Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the allocation, channelled through the Local Government Department, was intended-among other things-to upgrade public facilities and improve cleanliness and environmental health standards within communities.
"Environmental health aspects go beyond mere cleanliness; they are directly linked to the health, safety, and quality of life of the people.
"Therefore, efforts to create a clean, healthy, and safe environment require the continuous commitment of local authorities and the cooperation of the entire community in making cleanliness a shared responsibility,” she said.
She was officiating the 2026 National-Level World Environmental Health Day celebration and the closing ceremony of the 2026 Local Authorities Convention here on Sunday (Sept 13).
Aiman Athirah stated that for this year alone, the ministry has increased the allocation for the Environmental Health Campaign to RM1.06mil, up from RM860,000 in 2025, through the Local Government Department allocation and the National Healthy Malaysia Agenda (ANMS).
She said that this increase reflected the government's commitment to empowering local authorities to implement high-impact programmes at the grassroots level.
At the same time, she said the scope of the ministry’s Environmental Health Campaign has expanded from six to eight sub-programmes this year, with the addition of the Fly Infestation Control Campaign and the Clean Night Market Campaign.
The other six campaigns are the Dengue Outbreak Prevention Campaign, Rat Infestation Eradication Campaign, Clean Food Premises Campaign, Clean Public Market Campaign, Clean Local Authority Public Toilet Campaign (themed "BMW”-Clean, Charming, and Fragrant), and Stray Animal Management Campaign.
Meanwhile, Aiman Athirah announced that nine local authorities successfully achieved a five-star rating through the 2026 Local Authority Environmental Health Services Technical Audit Star Rating Programme (PBAT).
The programme, themed "Madani Synergy, Sustainable Local Authorities, Harmonious Environment,” involved all 156 local authorities nationwide, aiming to strengthen cooperation in enhancing service delivery and creating an environment that is clean, healthy, safe, and sustainable.- Bernama
