MUKAH: The Tuberculosis (TB) Run programme and One Hour Malaysia Clean Up Beach Plogging Day are among efforts to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Balingian Assemblyman, Abdul Yakub Arbi, said several focus areas within the SDG framework were taken into account in these programmes.
“Among them are raising health awareness in line with SDG 3 and enhancing public spaces in accordance with SDG 11.
“In addition, preserving the environment through beach clean-up activities aligns with SDG 13, while strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation between the government, NGOs, and communities is in line with SDG 17.
“This clearly shows that the Sarawak Government also prioritises environmental sustainability through the SDGs,” he said.
He said this during the launch of the Mukah Parliament National Malaysia Health Agenda Roadshow (ANMS) and Mukah Division-level World TB Day Celebration held at the Tapak Kaul here yesterday (Friday).
Yakub added that the TB Run was not only a show of solidarity with TB patients but also supported health awareness and healthy lifestyle campaigns.
This included the ‘War on Sugar’ campaign, carrying the message “Cut the Sugar, Go Easy! One Teaspoon is Enough, Less is Better, None is Best!” to address issues of overweight and obesity.
He said this was in line with findings from the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, which recorded that 54.5 per cent of Malaysians were obese.
“Beach Plogging gotong-royong (volunteer clean-up) also helps eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and creates a cleaner environment to prevent vector-borne diseases.
“The 3Rs, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, should be practised to reduce domestic waste, environmental pollution, and disease risk.
“With these concrete steps, we are embracing the aspiration of building a Madani Afiat society that is healthy, inclusive and resilient,” he added.
Yakub also expressed hope that the programme would encourage the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle for a better quality of life in their old age.
The programme received encouraging participation, with nearly 500 people joining the TB Run and One Hour Malaysia Clean Up Beach Plogging Day.
Also present were Tellian Assemblyman, Royston Valentine; Mukah Member of Parliament’s representative, Almalhakim Norshidi; Mukah Division Resident, Datuk Kueh Lei Poh; Mukah District Officer, Peleadzman Ahip; and Mukah Divisional Health Officer, Dr Muhammad Najib Hassan @ Ahmad.
