Boat people a threat to Lahad Datu cleanliness

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LAHAD DATU: The Lahad Datu District Council enforcement unit has advised the “Pelau” community here to clean up their place failing which stern action will be taken against them.

The enforcement unit led by Aliudin Miasin conducted an operation to clean up the area of garbage recently.

He blamed the “Pelau” community, whose numbers were increasing, for the heavy environmental pollution here.

“They are creating a major problem to the district council which is struggling to achieve our cleanliness campaign target,” he said.

He added that the “Pelau” community had been recognized and protected by the United Nations.

(Pelau means boat people or seafarers, categorized as refugees from the Philippines).

He estimated them at more than 60,000 plying between Semporna and Tungku Sea.

Aliudin said as their numbers rose over the years, the amount of rubbish they discarded had also increased and turned the Bandar Wilayah into a dirty and smelly area.

“They live in their boats docked at the open land near the seaside during the day, but they take their pillows and mattresses to the five-foot-way and sleep during the night. Some of them even take their kitchen utensils and cook in the alley,” said Aliudin.

Meanwhile, based on the Health Department’s investigation, the “Pelau” were the main cause of cholera in Semporna, Tungku, Kunak and Lahad Datu.

The Health Clinic Advisory Panel had taken action immediately to educate them on personal hygiene.