78 litter free premises in KK now
KOTA KINABALU: Ararat Sports and Souvenirs Sdn Bhd’s four outlets in the state capital have received the ‘Litter Free Premises’ recognition from City Hall.
The company is also now taking part in City Hall’s campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags in the state capital.
“With Ararat’s participation in City Hall’s campaigns, there are now 78 ‘Litter Free Premises’ in Kota Kinabalu.
“The number of premises which are promoting the ‘No Plastic bag on Saturday, Sunday and Monday’ campaign have now increased to 295 with the inclusion of Ararat’s four outlets,” Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir said before presenting Ararat Sports and Souvenirs group operations manager Benny Lim with the ‘Litter Free Premises’ certificate yesterday.
“As I have always stressed, a litter free premises stresses on the concept of no indiscriminate littering, and rubbish must only be disposed in the bins provided. This means that all Ararat Sports staff do not litter indiscriminately and they can also promote the campaign to the public,” he said.
According to Abidin, City Hall’s cleanliness campaign was an ongoing one and efforts were being carried out to expand its other campaigns such as the one against litterbugs.
“I wish to record my gratitude to residents in the state capital for giving City Hall their full cooperation all this while as the responsibility of keeping the state capital clean belongs to all,” he added.
Abidin also took to task owners of buildings, especially old ones at Bandaran Berjaya, Segama Complex and Sinsuran Complex for not maintaining their property.
“I discovered many of the water and sewage pipes in these buildings leaking and in disrepair resulting in the back lanes of shops there becoming very dirty and smelly. The discharge from the damaged pipes not only attracts vermin and pests such as rats and flies but also makes the area unattractive.
“As we are all aware, the tourism industry is one of the state’s main income generators. Therefore shop and building owners must play their part in helping the state government to ensure that tourists continue to visit Sabah,” he stressed.
In view of this, Abidin urged all building owners in the state capital to cooperate with City Hall and make the effort to repair as well as beautify their premises so that the area becomes pleasing to the eye.
He also advised eatery and restaurant owners to abide by the rules and regulations such as not using the walkways behind their shops to prepare food or wash their dishes.
They must also ensure that the grease traps in their premises are properly maintained and that their employees do not throw food wastes into the drains.
“City Hall is constantly monitoring the situation and will not refrain from taking action against anyone found committing an offence,” he warned.
Source: Borneo Post
