Rhoda (eighth left), Ting (ninth left) and others at the mass cleaning programme at Kutien Garden, Bukit Lima.
SIBU: All schools here are encouraged to embark on an anti-littering campaign to keep their premises clean.
According to Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Public Health and Environment Standing Committee chairperson Rhoda Ting, through such campaign any student caught littering should be asked to do rubbish collection at the school’s compound.
“I remember during my school days in the 70s, we were asked to pick rubbish if caught coming late or for other offences.
“By doing so, it will educate the students not to throw rubbish indiscriminately either at school or public places,” she pointed out.
Rhoda was speaking on behalf of SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King at the start of a mass cleaning activity in Kutien Garden, Bukit Lima near here yesterday, which was run by Kutien Association led by its president Ting Teck Bing.
A children’s colouring contest was also held.
Rhoda said SMC had initiated the anti-littering campaign prior to the ‘Visit Sibu Year 2017’ campaign. Anyone found to be littering at public places would face a compound of RM500.
“Up to May 2018, a total of 789 compound notices have been issued. Thus, I hope the Sibu town area is much cleaner now,” she said.
However, Rhoda noted that any clean-up campaign would appear ‘good’ only for a while.
“After a few months, people start to throw rubbish anywhere as they like again. How can we change their mindset or attitude?” she said.
Rhoda expressed her hope that more non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or associations would come forward and help create a better and cleaner Sibu by conducting public awareness activities, especially those involving children and youths.