Cleaning Up After The Celebration
By Ben Ng

Bandar Seri Begawan - Even with the Minor Offences Act (Amendment) Order 2006 and the Minor Offences (Method and Procedure of Compounding) Rules 2006 which are intended to maintain cleanliness, people still choose to throw rubbish indiscriminately. Under this act, litterbugs can be slapped with a compound fine of not more than B$500.

During the National Day celebration yesterday, piles of rubbish were seen everywhere.

Mohammad Noor, a secondary school teacher said that an example should be set to show that the authorities are serious about the matter. He commented that he has never heard of anyone being fined for throwing rubbish in the country.

Another teacher supported this fact and added that if someone is fined for littering and the case publicised, it will definitely get the attention of everyone and at the same time, increases awareness that such indiscriminate act has its price.

A Municipal Board cleaner said that drink cans, containers and food packets were the most frequent items found.

"We usually find bottles and empty plastic containers," said one cleaner who was stationed near the Taman.

"We noticed the most littered places are usually found near the stalls or places that sell food," she said.

"Another place where we find a lot of trash is at the multi-storey carpark," she said.

Places where large crowds gather are usually hotspots for rubbish, noted the cleaner.

On most days, there are only nine cleaners stationed around the Bandar area, she said. "Today, however, since it's a special day, there are more than 30 of us."

Some have been on duty since 4am early Saturday morning, making sure everything was cleaned up and ready.

Their efforts in making sure the roads are being cleaned often go unnoticed. In their orange uniform, several sweepers scoured the roads and swept up every bit and piece of rubbish. Their heavy presence yesterday also made sure that many of the roads and pathways were cleaned up in an instant.

"We have lots of big trash disposal containers around for people to throw their rubbish. We have noticed that slowly, more people are starting to make use of it. We have seen some who actually look for the bin to throw their trash in. Most of them however, still find it easier throwing it on the ground." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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