SANDAKAN – Residents of Kg Sim Sim here can now trade rubbish for food with the launch of the Trash for Food programme on Thursday.
The food bank is an initiative by Tg Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon, who expressed hope that it will be able to help those who are financially struggling amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The programme allows villagers to exchange one full bag of rubbish for RM5 worth of food items available at the food bank located at Bridge 8 (Aisle H).
Among the food items are eggs (50 sen each), sugar (RM3 per pack), instant noodles (RM1 per pack), coffee (RM1 per pack) and sardines (RM1.50 per tin).
Poon, who is also Sabah DAP acting chairman, said the initiative kills two birds with one stone – ensuring people have food on the table, and cleaning up the village, whose unique and historic features made it a tourist hotspot before virus-triggered travel curbs were imposed.
“We hope it will be able to help those who have lost their jobs during this difficult time. At the same time, we hope it will enhance awareness on cleanliness among the residents here.”
The water village, located on the coastal line before Sandakan town, has long faced the problem of rubbish piling up under houses, creating an unpleasant smell and appalling view in some areas.
A study by non-governmental organisation Future Alam Borneo on Kg Sim Sim’s waters revealed a very worrying picture of the pollution situation along the district’s coastline.
As much as he wants the food bank to continue for the long term, Poon said he has limited funding as an opposition rep.
“We appeal to the public, corporates and NGOs to donate to us, so that we can keep this programme running for longer. Do it to help the people and to beautify Kg Sim Sim together.”
He said he is open to collaborating with other political parties to keep the food bank going.
The programme is the first of its kind here. Twenty bags of garbage were collected within three hours of its launch. – The Vibes, November 29, 2020
