KOTA KINABALU: A comprehensive plan will be put in place to tackle Semporna's never-ending and often controversial issues about cleanliness.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Joachim Gunsalam said there was a need for an inclusive plan to achieve the goal of keeping the district clean in the short and long term.
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"I'm meeting with them (Semporna district officials) for a more comprehensive and sustainable direction," said Dr Gunsalam, who is state Local Government and Housing Minister, when contacted Tuesday (Aug 22).
He said he had already ordered the Semporna district office to act on issues of cleanliness and food hygiene as an immediate measure following Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing's warning that they might issue red notices to operators who do not clean up their act, following complaints from tourists on the town’s filthy conditions and lack of hygiene.
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"The district office has been asked to act as soon as possible. I understand it is aware of the cleanliness aspect of which it is trying to overcome," he said.
Complaints about poor and unhygienic conditions have emerged from time to time and such complaints were highlighted by both local and foreign tourists heading from Semporna town to the diving havens around the area including world-renowned Pulau Sipadan.
Tiong's red notice warning spurred a fresh round of concern over the cleanliness of the district.
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On Monday (Aug 21), Semporna district officer Alexander Liew held a dialogue with tourism, resort, hotel and homestay operators as well as food handlers from restaurants, coffee shops and hawkers on cleanliness.
The dialogue, according to local tourism players, was a reminder for all to operate their facilities with a high level of cleanliness and to ensure that hygiene is maintained at all times when handling food.
They were reminded that appropriate action under various local council and health laws would be taken against those who do not abide by the rules and regulations.
