MERSING – All related agencies and parties will do their part to restore Mersing's image, which has been plagued by garbage issues and become an eye-sore, especially its tourist spots.
Mersing district officer Mohd Radzi Mohd Amin said he has noted and will act accordingly, following the disappointment expressed by Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar yesterday over the "filthy attitude" of some of the residents.
“The statement made by Sultan Ibrahim reflects his concern for the Mersing district. As such, I have instructed the departments involved to act and address the issue immediately.
"However, the community must be made aware that they need to change their attitude on cleanliness and stop littering to keep this district clean and beautiful," he said in a statement today.
Radzi said since he was appointed Mersing’s district officer on November 22, he has drafted plans to maximise the potential of the district, including by introducing slogans "Mersing Kesayangan Kita" and "Amazing Mersing".
In a separate statement, Mersing District Council president Norazmi Amir Hamzah said his department had always maintained close rapport with the relevant agencies, including SWM Environment, Solid Waste Management & Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp), the District Office and the Irrigation and Drainage Department in maintaining cleanliness and managing waste.
"In addition, we also encourage the public to participate in cleaning activities and I wish to thank all those out there who have contributed and joined us in our efforts in clearing and beautifying Mersing’s beaches and surrounding islands.
"We are in the midst of a campaign to ban the use of plastic straws and single-use plastic and polystyrene containers, with the cooperation of local traders," he said.
Norazmi said the Mersing Ecology and Environment Team programme has also been implemented under the Sustainable Travel Mersing Destination Coordination Group to create awareness among students on the importance of caring for the environment.
Yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim, through his official Facebook page, said the tourism district in Mersing, an international tourist attraction rich in natural beauty, is now unsightly and littered with waste.
In expressing his displeasure over the matter, he stressed that if people continued to neglect cleanliness, it will have a negative impact on public health. – Bernama, December 30, 2020
