KOTA KINABALU: Masterskill Global College Kota Kinabalu is once again recognised as a litter-free higher learning institution by City Hall.
The recognition was made by Mayor, Datuk Abidin Madingkir at the Masterskill Global College near here yesterday.
Abidin commended the college for its achievement to retain the litter-free premise status and acknowledged that it was not easy to continue to retain the recognition.
“Masterskill Global College is the second higher learning institute in the city to be recognised with the status by City Hall. It first received the recognition on August 23, last year. Today, the college received its second recognition. Congratulations,” Abidin said in his speech.
He said the participation of higher learning institutes in the anti-litterbug campaign initiated by City Hall was imperative as it will help City Hall realise its aspiration to become a litter-free city.
“Such collaboration is the best strategy to widen City Hall’s 5K mission of cleanliness, beautification, safety, systematic and well-being. Aside from supporting the campaign, higher learning institutes are also active in recycling activities and other environmental related activities,” he said.
He said, presently there were 92 litter-free premises since the campaign was launched by City Hall in 2008. The recognition can be recalled by City Hall if it found those given the recognition throw their garbage indiscriminately, he said.
At the same time, participants of the plastic bag usage reduction campaign have increased to 320.
Abidin said his most challenging task as a mayor was figuring how to deal with the garbage issue. He said that he has been approached and have received comments from foreign visitors, who were mesmerised with the city, but was put-off by its garbage.
“A German tourist came to me, commented on how beautiful the city was and asked me to deal with the floating garbage which she saw while going to the island near the city. I also received an email from a 12-year-old boy who said he enjoyed KK (Kota Kinabalu) but suffered from stomach ache after consuming a fish in the city. He felt that he was ill because the fish has eaten garbage,” he said.
Abidin said, the garbage issue was not just the responsibility of City Hall but the entire population. He cited that a city in London which was free of litter at one time, Birmingham, was now overridden with it.
Also present at the event were City Hall’s deputy director general, Joannes Solidau, City Hall’s hygiene and environmental health director, Robert Lipon and Masterskill Global College Kota Kinabalu chief executive, Arnold Junior Augustine @ Aaron.