‘Cleanliness effort needs more public support’


Onn Hafiz (second from right) and Mohd Jafni (third from right) picking up rubbish in downtown Johor Baru during a recent Johor Bersih gotong-royong programme.

GREATER public participation is needed to ensure the Johor Bersih campaign succeed, say Johor Baru residents.

Edward Tee, a 32-year-old living in Johor Baru, said more community members should be roped in to participate in the gotong-royong (community clean-up) activities organised by the state government.

“As part of the ‘Johor Bersih’ campaign, the local authorities and government agencies periodically organise programmes to pick up trash and beautify the surrounding areas.

“However, I noticed there is a lack of community participation as those taking part were usually just the council staff as well as some university students.

“I think the state should look at ways of involving the surrounding communities, including business owners and residents, to build a better sense of belonging,” said the self-employed man.

Public amenities being given a fresh coat of paint.Public amenities being given a fresh coat of paint.

Tee, who is also a Southern Volunteers member, brought along his six-year-old son to the recent gotong-royong programme in downtown Johor Baru as a way of exposing the child to good habits.

“I encourage other parents to use the next ‘Johor Bersih’ programme as an opportunity to spend quality time with their children.

“Some of my friends from Singapore also volunteered for the programme as they were keen to contribute. They visit Johor often for recreational activities,” said Tee.

Housewife Nor Hidayah Samad, 38, hoped the state could extend the “Johor Bersih” programme to smaller towns.

“I believe neighbourhood groups and surau committees can help make this campaign more impactful by holding gotong-royong programmes and incorporating fun elements like recycling contests to motivate the young.

“A state campaign cannot work without the active involvement of the public and I think assemblymen can allocate some funds for the community to run such activities,” said the mother of two.

Volunteers washing a street as part of the Johor Bersih campaign.Volunteers washing a street as part of the Johor Bersih campaign.

Johor Baru Small Business Association president Tey Tian Hwang said there had been some improvements in its members’ attitude towards cleanliness in the past few months.

“When the campaign kicked off, we received complaints from the local council regarding the hawkers along Jalan Meldrum as the drains there were badly clogged.

“Efforts have since been made to clean up the area and customers have noticed the difference,” he said.

Tey added that the association also helped to clear the vacant stalls and unwanted equipment left behind by hawkers who had ceased their business.

The “Johor Bersih” initiative was introduced by the state in July last year to beef up cleanliness.

Tee bringing along his six-year-son to help him pick up good habits to keep the environment clean.Tee bringing along his six-year-son to help him pick up good habits to keep the environment clean.

The activities included picking up trash, washing the streets, repainting public amenities and releasing microorganism pellets into rivers such as Sungai Segget.

According to Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, Johor Baru City Council issued more than 250 notices to litterbugs in the first four months of this year.

“It is time we push the campaign further by involving all of the state’s 56 assemblymen and 586 village chiefs.

“Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has expressed hope that the surrounding communities, including businesses and banks, will also join the campaign to make the state cleaner and more attractive to tourists and investors,” he said.

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