PAKAN: Society needs to change its mindset and approach towards maintaining cleanliness by harnessing modern technological advances, to ensure surroundings remain clean, healthy and free from disease threats.

Advisor in the Sarawak Premier's Office (Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development), who is also Pakan Assemblyman, Tan Sri Datuk Sri William Mawan Ikom said this shift in thinking is important as technological development is now happening rapidly across various fields, including medicine, waste management and daily life.

"Our mindset must be open, and we need to adapt to modern technology. If technology in the medical field alone is developing so rapidly, the same goes for our daily lives, which increasingly rely on various devices and digital technology.

"So, our thinking and our approach must also change, including in how we maintain health and environmental cleanliness," he said while speaking at the Malaysia Cleanliness Day 2026 Opening Ceremony at Rumah Kanyan, Nyalak Ladong, here, on Saturday.

He said the practice of maintaining cleanliness should not merely be done to fulfil an obligation or with a "just get it done" attitude, but should instead become a culture and continuous practice in community life.

He said poor waste management not only affects the cleanliness of an area, but could also create an environment conducive to disease-carrying agents.

"The way we dispose of waste must also be orderly. We need to ensure our surroundings remain clean at all times because cleanliness is directly linked to our health," he said.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri William also stressed the importance of the role of community counsellors, who serve as a link in conveying the community's voice, views and needs to local authorities.

He said such communication channels are important to ensure issues related to cleanliness and community facilities can be identified and addressed more effectively.

Tan Sri William also cited the example of regions that have advanced in waste management, where materials once considered waste are now processed and utilised as energy sources.

"In more developed places, waste is no longer merely something to be disposed of, but can be turned into a power source. This shows how technology and a shift in mindset can give new value to something we consider as rubbish," he said.

He therefore hoped the implementation of Malaysia Cleanliness Day could serve as a catalyst for a change in public attitude, so that cleanliness is not only given attention during a particular programme, but continued as a daily practice.

The ceremony was organised by the Meradong and Julau District Council (MDMJ) to raise public awareness on the importance of environmental cleanliness and shared responsibility in creating a healthy and prosperous community. -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng