Monkey vest for litterbugs not appropriate – Jaujan

KOTA KINABALU: The Semporna District Council’s move to punish litterbugs by asking them to wear a vest embossed with the word “monyet” (monkey) when picking up rubbish is not appropriate, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jaujan Sambakong.

Describing the word as lack of dignity, Jaujan said the council could consider other words like ‘I will keep Semporna clean’.

“I understand and can accept if a litterbug is sentenced to pick up trash as part of community service.

“However, I cannot comprehend why the need to use such vests.

“We know this is a drastic action being enforced due to the garbage problem in the district but the use of monyet vest is unacceptable,” said the Local Government and Housing Minister and Sulabayan assemblyman.

He said a discussion would be held with district level committees to improve the wording which was decided by a special committee involving the district council, including the police and other agencies.

“We will talk to them and see what other approach that can be used,” he added.

Last month, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal launched a clean-up campaign and gave the council until March this year to clean up Semporna.