KUCHING – The North Kuching City Hall (DBKU) has officially brought its annual Cleanliness Month campaign to a close, marking the end of a two-day culmination event held over the weekend. The closing ceremony served as the final chapter of a month-long initiative designed to embed principles of environmental stewardship and urban hygiene into the daily lives of residents.
The event, which took place on Sunday, 26 July 2026, was presided over by the Mayor of North Kuching, Yang Berbahagia Dato Haji Hilmy bin Haji Othman. He was joined by the Director of DBKU, Yang Berusaha Encik Ramzi bin Abdillah, who both emphasised the critical role that community participation plays in maintaining a habitable and attractive urban environment. Their presence underscored the local authority’s commitment to fostering a cleaner city through collaborative efforts rather than top-down enforcement alone.
Throughout the duration of the cleanliness campaign, the city hall organised a series of exhibitions, workshops, and interactive programmes. These activities were structured to raise public awareness regarding the importance of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling—commonly known as the 3R practice. The overarching goal was to shift public perception from viewing cleanliness as a municipal duty to seeing it as a shared civic responsibility.
A significant feature of the closing expo was the participation of fifteen diverse exhibitors. These entities ranged from government bodies and educational institutions to private sector companies and non-governmental organisations. Their collective presence highlighted the multi-stakeholder approach required to tackle modern environmental challenges. Among the notable participants were Kim Huang Enterprise, which specialises in used cooking oil collection, and Dinkargo Recycle, a firm focused on waste management solutions.
Other key contributors included A&E Trading Company Sdn. Bhd., Madaya Kuching Sdn. Bhd., and Trienekens Sarawak Sdn. Bhd. Educational institutions such as Kuching Community College and Santubong Community College also showcased their student-led initiatives, demonstrating how early education can shape sustainable habits. Additionally, representatives from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, the Department of Environment, Kuching South City Council (MBKS), and the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) were present, illustrating a unified front among regional authorities. Private brands like Coway Malaysia and community groups such as Trash Hero and Zaika Enterprise further enriched the exhibition with practical sustainability products and services.
Beyond the static exhibitions, the event featured a lively array of competitions that drew enthusiastic responses from various demographic groups. Organisers introduced categories tailored to different age groups and interests, including Level 1 and Level 2 Coloring Competitions for younger children, as well as a dedicated Senior Citizen Coloring Competition. These activities were not merely recreational but served as educational tools to engage families in discussions about environmental care.
For those with artistic and musical talents, the Recycle Band Music Competition and the Sustainable Fashion Show Competition provided platforms to demonstrate creativity using repurposed materials. These events aimed to prove that sustainability does not require sacrificing innovation or style. By encouraging participants to transform waste into art and music, the city hall sought to inspire a culture of resourcefulness and imaginative problem-solving within the community.
The success of the month-long campaign was attributed to the widespread support from volunteers, strategic partners, and the general public. DBKU expressed its profound gratitude to all individuals and organisations that contributed time, resources, and energy to make the initiative a reality. The authority noted that such collective effort is essential for achieving the long-term vision of a “Clean City, Prosperous Community.”
As the programme concluded, officials reflected on the progress made in changing public attitudes towards waste disposal and environmental conservation. While challenges remain, the high level of engagement during the competitions and exhibitions suggests a growing appetite for sustainable living among Kuching residents. The city hall has indicated that these efforts will continue beyond the designated month, with plans to integrate similar educational components into future community outreach programmes.
The event ultimately served as a reminder that maintaining urban cleanliness is an ongoing process requiring constant vigilance and cooperation. By combining regulatory frameworks with community-driven initiatives, DBKU aims to create a lasting legacy of environmental awareness that benefits current and future generations of Sarawakians.
