By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) plans to strengthen cleanliness efforts on Gaya Island to attract more tourists.
Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah said the island's natural beauty could attract more visitors if cleanliness was improved.
"If we look around, this island is beautiful. I hope that through programmes like this, we can further improve the cleanliness here.
"Tourists who come to Malaysia and Sabah want to visit places like this — places with nature and village homes — but they are also very concerned about cleanliness.
"If cleanliness is not maintained, they may be afraid to visit because they worry about diseases such as dengue. That is why we also have health awareness programmes," he told reporters after the LA21 i-Fit community programme at Kampung Torong-Logong here.
He added that DBKK wanted the local community's involvement in looking after the island, which is about a 10-minute boat ride from the mainland.
The local authority would provide more rubbish bins and increase waste collection efforts, including using small boats to collect rubbish from the sea, as well as hiring local residents to assist with rubbish collection and disposal.
"That way, we would not need to bring in workers from elsewhere. We will look into the payment mechanism later so residents can help collect and dispose of rubbish at designated areas," he said.
On squatter management, Sabin said City Hall had structured enforcement plans involving regular operations against illegal settlements on the island.
He said authorities would first conduct a census in squatter areas and assess relocation options for local residents if necessary.
"However, if they are illegal immigrants who came here unlawfully, we will inform them that their settlements will be demolished."
To date, DBKK has demolished 986 houses.
Earlier, Sabin took part in Zumba, coconut planting and visits to exhibition booths during the programme.
He said such programmes helped authorities better understand the challenges faced by island communities, including the need for improved public facilities.
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