KOTA KINABALU: The people will be reminded to keep their surroundings clean and action will be taken against litterbugs, says Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) president Benedict Asmat.

       This comes after a video clip went viral recently showing crowds walking along a street strewn with rubbish in Sandakan, believed to have been taken a few days ago.

       Social media users have criticised the incident, calling the people responsible for the indiscriminate littering as 'dirty' and 'uncivilised'.

       Many also called on local authorities to take a stricter approach against littering.

       Benedict said the district had always stressed on cleanliness and had conducted awareness campaigns for years.

       "It could be because people have been stuck at home for so long, they might have forgotten or overlooked this matter," he said when contacted on Friday (May 6).

       He said council workers had cleaned up the area following complaints from the public, while those present were reminded to throw their rubbish into bins provided.

       Benedict urged the people of Sandakan to be mindful of their actions and to practise good hygiene, especially with Covid-19 and other transmittable diseases around.

       "We are in the midst of restructuring the enforcement of by-laws and are working towards taking a stricter approach on this matter," he said.

       Under anti-littering by-laws in Sandakan, a person found littering can be issued a RM30 fine.