Kota Kinabalu: City Hall hopes to expand its environmental awareness campaign to include more schools to help young people develop a deeper appreciation for the planet.
Mayor Dato Sri Hj Sabin Samitah emphasised the importance of shared responsibility in maintaining cleanliness, highlighting the younger generation is a key driver of change towards a more sustainable future.
“Young people can play a pivotal role for the environment by adopting sustainable practices such as recycling and reducing the use of plastic bags, which makes a huge impact in protecting the planet,” he said.
Speaking at the launch of City Hall’s Environmental Health Awareness campaign on Wednesday at SM All Saints Secondary School, Sabin emphasised that maintaining environmental cleanliness is the responsibility of the whole community, not just the authorities.
“I hope students and teachers can work together to ensure their school and surrounding area remain clean at all times.
Cleaner schools will lead to a healthier, safer environment, ultimately resulting in a thriving community,” he told pupils and teachers gathered at the school assembly hall.
The text of his speech was delivered by City Hall Chief Director, Lifred Wong.
With the theme ‘ Healthier Schools, Flourishing Communities’, Sabin said the campaign was launched to raise awareness and foster a greater sense of collective responsibility among city folk in maintaining environmental health, especially in schools.
He noted the campaign’s shift from the previous Anti-litter mission’ to the ‘Clean and Green’ initiative is a step in the right direction, with a renewed focus on incorporating green practices such as recycling, reducing plastic usage and promoting the use of reusable bags.
Sabin said the main objective of the campaign is to raise awareness on maintaining a clean, hygienic environment and food safety; instilling the practice of clean toilets; cultivating awareness among students and teachers on eradicating Lilatin (cockroaches, rodents, flies and mosquitoes) disease vectors.
Furthermore, he said the launch of the program also aims to promote responsible dog ownership and reduce the use of plastic bags in line with the “Bring Your Own Bag” initiative.
“With the support and cooperation from all quarters, we are confident Kota Kinabalu will become a clean, green, safer place to live, work and enjoy for all,” said Sabin.
He also urged SM All Saints to obtain recognition for Clean and Green Premise.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Lifred noted that DBKK’s ongoing efforts to reduce plastic usage have received positive and encouraging support from the public, who recognise the long-term advantages of the initiative.
“We have received a great deal of encouragement and this is motivating us to continue the campaign. It is evident that the public are aware of environmental issues,” he said.
Lifred noted that, in addition to KK being the most active in the campaign, other Local Government Authorities (PBT) such as nearby Penampang and Putatan are joining the movement to reduce reliance on plastic.
“It is hoped the campaign catches on with other PBTs which is among the first drastic measures aimed at reducing plastic waste and its adverse impact on the environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, SM All Saints Headmaster, Dr Mary Gambidau noted the DBKK-led environmental awareness campaign provides students with an invaluable education and awareness on the importance of cleanliness on the environment and reducing reliance on plastics.
“The participants for this morning’s programme are secondary 1-3 students, and it is hoped this early exposure can deepen their knowledge and appreciation for environmental issues, as well as spark a greater sense of responsibility and their contribution towards a cleaner and greener world,” she said.
According to Mary, the school also conducts environmental programmes such as maintaining cleanliness in classrooms, toilets and school compound; reducing use of plastics, and producing organic compost from food waste.
“SM All Saints has established international collaborations with two Japanese educational institutions, namely Arima Senior High School and Hokkaido Sapporo Keisei High School.
These partnerships are focused on environmental research, specifically the study of microplastics and its impact on coastal ecosystems,” she said
During the launching ceremony, City Hall also donated young trees to the school as part of the ‘Greening the City’ initiative and planting tree campaign, to ensure a sustainable environment and combat climate change.
Additionally, DBKK will also organise a Cleanest School Toilet competition which will be held in conjunction with World Toilet Day on November 19.
