Likas can be tourist attraction with help of residents — Yong
KOTA KINABALU: A touristcentric Likas is possible with the help of its residents, said Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah.
He called on the Kampung Likas and the surrounding residents to dispose of waste properly and actively maintain the cleanliness of their surrounding areas.
Yong, who is also minister in charge of the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), also reminded that DBKK had already launched the Likas and Inanam River Cleaning Project on August 26.
He said the program was intended to increase the cleanliness level and the water quality of the Likas as well as the Inanam River so it could both be turned into a state tourist attraction and help raise the socioeconomic level of the residents.
“This is not impossible because when Kampung Likas becomes popular, the residents can open homestays for example, or open stalls to sell souvenirs as well as local food products,” said Yong.
“What more with the Kampung Likas location that is very strategic, close to attractions in Kota Kinabalu City such as the Likas Bay Public Park, City Mosque, Sabah State Administrative Center, Tun Mustapha Tower, Kota Kinabalu Wetland - a world-recognized RAMSAR site, and more.
“Therefore, I believe through NBOS and solid cooperation of all residents, the Likas River can be transformed into a beautiful and attractive river. This will not only change the face of Kampung Likas but it will also be the pride of the Kampung Likas residents, in particular, and Kota Kinabalu City, in general,” he assured.
Yong said this at the Kampung Likas Multipurpose Hall when launching the 2017 National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) My Beautiful Neighborhood (MyBN) Gotong Royong Program, which was launched simultaneously nationwide yesterday.
Kampung Likas, government and private sector folk rallied to clean the drains, paint cemetery garden fences, pick up rubbish and trim the trees as well as cut the grass during the program.
Yong ensured that DBKK and the state government are open to the people’s constructive feedback and have no problem in assisting the people where necessary.
“We can work it out together with the community leaders, with the village residents and also schools to raise awareness on cleanliness and also on working together to achieve something,” said Yong.
“This is what we need because this is what we lack. It is always DBKK that does it on its own, and the village residents just sit down and watch.
“This should be done by DBKK but we want them (residents) to get involved, to let them know working together can really make it a clean place, which is a vision of DBKK,” he emphasized.
DBKK Board of Advisors member Datuk Seruji Nawawi, DBKK (Management Services) deputy director general Bahari Hassan, who represented the Kota Kinabalu City Mayor, Umno Sepanggar Information chief Datuk Saidun Kadis and organizing chairman Anidah Hartini Ag Said also partook in the gotong royong program.