The Kedah state government has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform Langkawi into the world’s cleanest island. This initiative, announced at the Clean, Beautiful, and Cheerful Seminar held in Kuah, is a collective effort involving government agencies, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations.
Collaborative Efforts for a Cleaner Future
Major (R) Mansor Zakaria, Chairman of the State Housing, Local Government, and Health Committee, confirmed the commitment from all stakeholders to reach this goal. “Just two weeks after proposing this initiative, we’ve taken significant strides, starting with today’s seminar,” he stated. The rapid mobilization demonstrates that Langkawi’s ambition is a serious commitment rather than merely aspirational.
In his remarks, Mansor highlighted the creation of 11 sub-committees, each led by a councilor, tasked with planning and overseeing various cleanliness programs across the island. This structured approach aims to ensure thorough and sustainable efforts in every sector of the island’s maintenance and waste management.
Learning from Local Successes
The initiative draws inspiration from successful local environmental transformations, such as the cleanup of Sungai Melaka, which turned a once polluted river into a bustling tourist hotspot. “We aim to replicate this success on a larger scale by rebranding Langkawi as the world’s cleanest island in time for Visit Kedah Year 2025,” Mansor added.
In partnership with the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), the council is tackling the significant challenge of managing approximately 100 tonnes of solid waste daily on the island. This effort is critical to maintaining the aesthetic and hygienic standards required for such a distinguished title.
A Visionary Campaign for Tourism
The clean island campaign is a cornerstone of the state’s strategy to revitalize its tourism industry, severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Noor, Kedah Menteri Besar, emphasized the initiative’s importance, stating, “Making Langkawi the cleanest island in the world is not just an environmental goal, but a strategic move to attract tourists.”
As Langkawi gears up for Visit Kedah Year 2025, the island’s stakeholders are united in their mission to create a pristine destination that promises visitors not only natural beauty and cultural richness but also an unparalleled commitment to environmental cleanliness. This ambitious project is set to place Langkawi at the forefront of global eco-tourism destinations.
