DBKU wins sustainable Kuching city award

KUCHING: Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) did Sarawak proud when it was awarded the Sustainable City Award at the National Environmental Awards 2009/2010 for the second consecutive time.

DBKU mayor Mohd Atei Abang Medaan who was ecstatic about the win, expressed his gratitude to the people of Kuching and commended DBKU staff for the success.

"Being sustainable means that the city is efficiently managed to ensure that development does not threaten the environment and DBKU's ongoing efficient city maintenance programmes.

"This includes the Sarawak River cleaning, integrated solid waste management and city landscape beautification, which were highly praised by the awards' evaluation panel," he said after presenting the trophy to Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud here on Tuesday, Nov 9.

He said DBKU, which is under the jurisdiction of the Chief Minister's Department, had shown marked improvement in its environmental conservation efforts.

Among them an increase of its recycling ration from 11.6% in 2007 to 13% in 2009, improved traffic congestion mitigation by relocating the Gambier Street market and setting up of green parks.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah presented the award during the launching of the Malaysia Environment Week 2010 in Putrajaya recently. — Bernama