The Sabah government is considering introducing incentives such as cash rewards or essential groceries for residents who collect rubbish as part of efforts to improve cleanliness across the state.
Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Fairuz Renddan said the proposal was among the ideas discussed during a recent visit to Semporna with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the initiative aims to encourage cleaner villages and coastal communities by rewarding residents for helping to keep their surroundings free of litter.
“One of the proposals is to exchange a basket of rubbish for a packet of cooking oil or even cash, so we can gradually change people’s mindset,” he said.
Fairuz was responding to a supplementary question from Calvin Chong Sin Wun (Warisan–Elopura), who suggested paying residents RM2 for every kilogram of rubbish collected to encourage greater public participation, especially among young people.
He said the government is already working with waste collection concessionaires, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local villagers to carry out regular clean-up activities, particularly in Semporna’s coastal and marine areas.
Earlier, while replying to a question from Jamil Hamzah (Warisan–Bugaya), Fairuz said the construction of a new landfill site in Semporna is currently at the contractor appointment stage.
He added that land and sea clean-up operations, especially around tourist destinations and coastal waters, will continue to ensure the area’s cleanliness is maintained.
