Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan has defended its record in maintaining cleanliness in Semporna, saying the district achieved impressive results under its administration through the Sabah Bebas Sampah (SBS) or Trash-Free-Sabah campaign.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong said Semporna was once recognised as one of the cleanest districts in the State following the introduction of SBS, which was implemented through strong cooperation between the local authority, residents and enforcement agencies.
“The programme succeeded because of teamwork and strict enforcement. It was not just about slogans, but about changing public behaviour and instilling civic consciousness,” he said.
Jaujan said the campaign, launched in 2018, was supported by initiatives such as daily waste collection, public awareness drives, and the installation of two incinerators to manage household waste efficiently. The district also deployed a skimmer boat and introduced community fines for littering.
Former Semporna District Officer Bianus Kontong, who served during the campaign, said the operation achieved results within two months.
He said the district council issued RM50 compound notices to offenders and ran awareness drives with local NGOs and schools.
“We even introduced the slogan Saya Monyet (‘I’m a monkey’) on vests to remind the public not to litter. It was controversial, but it worked and people became more aware of their surroundings,” he said.
Both leaders said the SBS initiative mobilised community participation at all levels and had the full support of then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and the Warisan-led government.
They claimed the situation has since deteriorated under the current administration, saying the loss of continuity in community engagement and enforcement contributed to a decline in cleanliness standards.
“The commitment shown before is missing now. Cleanliness must not be politicized, it is about pride, discipline and respect for the environment,” Jaujan said.