Ugly sight: Officials from Kota Kinabalu City Hall assessing the litter left at the Segama Waterfront, a popular tourist and local hangout.
KOTA KINABALU: In the aftermath of the holiday season, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) finds itself grappling with a recurring issue – the rampant dumping of rubbish by litterbugs in public spaces like parks and waterfronts.
Rubbish was seen strewn all over Likas Bay Park and Segama Waterfront, leaving DBKK the mammoth task of picking up after the irresponsible actions of some of these folks.
Both areas also saw large holiday crowds who left these places in a mess with more than 200kg of rubbish picked up at Segama Waterfront alone.
DBKK is determined to hold these litterbugs accountable, having had enough of this mess.
They initiated a joint operation with the police to act against the offenders. In a statement, DBKK said that they were fully enforcing the Anti-Littering Bylaw 1984 (Amendment 2005).
The operations, dubbed Ops Payung, also target beggars and illegal hawkers with the help of police to control traffic and public order in areas that are popular hangouts for tourists and locals.
According to the statement, they were also considering taking litterbugs who received compounds to court as required by the anti-littering by-law.
Since January to April, DBKK has issued 64 compounds to those caught littering in Likas Bay Park and another 214 compounds to those nabbed littering in Segama Waterfront and adjacent areas within the city centre.
This week, DBKK said five compounds were issued to illegal hawkers under its Bylaw (Hawkers) 1966 in Likas Bay Park and Segama Waterfront.
The hawkers’ goods were also seized. “The irresponsible actions of a few members of the public who dump their rubbish irresponsibly are very disappointing and tarnish the image of Kota Kinabalu city.
“The results of the public’s survey and sharing of photos and videos of litter scattered at Segama Waterfront Likas Bay Public Park showed the mentality of a few members of the public who still consider the task of maintaining cleanliness to be the sole responsibility of the local government or authorities.”
“Citizens of Kota Kinabalu should set a good example and work towards being a community that prioritises cleanliness,” the statement added.
