Litter free

When was it the time, for any of our ministers to “turun padang” especially when it comes to visiting restaurants and coffee shops alike. It’s not as though it never happened before. But it does appear interesting if a minister declares a debut with its people and have a people action with a cover photo of the minister and restaurant owner on its picture. Perhaps also a kind photograph of the meal he/she had. Last week was very wonderful. I had an open night session with Jaco and his friends. We were out drinking at el Centro, when we were approached by some tourists whom we call friends. They kindly introduced themselves, and begin to talk their experience while visiting Sabah. Kathie was the owner of El Centro. And she politely re-enacted a game of cards. In which it was a quiz which had so many questions in them, that we had to take turns to answer them about history and geography. About the tourists that came to visit. One of them, who came from Holland said that it was very expensive to climb the mountain. I said, “if it was true, you would like to try and reckon at the Sabah Tourism centre” and ask for a price list or an itinerary programme that you would like to participate. She was almost sure that she paid, about RM 500 altogether to climb the mountain. I answered that’s absurd. If it takes that amount by chance to cost you to climb the mountain. I think that the cost would’ve gone to paying a trust fund or a conservation fund. In that they were paying staffs who were working on research, or basic salaries of the porter on one trip. Or it could’ve been splurged to the economic cost of volunteers who was doing re-construction there or in paying overheads. Then there was this Scottish man that was really going jiggy. He had to return back to UK the next day. When he began saying that he paid an expenditure fee to learn Scuba diving. He promised that day, that once when he got back to take his instructor course he will take me diving for free. He was really proud of himself. He said, he’s been around Sabah as a marine biologist. And that he said, he could not really express himself more of his passion. Jaco began saying, “Well yeah. You have to consider about money first and your education. Look at Sheena, money is what makes the world go round”. He said there is full of possibilities in life. And he was convinced of himself that a full dedication and passion was what had led him to be doing what he is doing right now. Perhaps what convinced himself, was a love for life. And then Jaco, began explaining. There’s a lot of dirt in Sabah. It takes a lot of process into recycling garbage. I disagreed with him. Saying, why do you need sweepers. Is it because it takes an honest job to do it. Or is it that there is always income to make you love your job? What actually makes a man dedicated to his work, was basically what I wanted for him to say. Or was it, what makes him a man? It literally falls into a subjective question such as everyday question of the liturgy put in place, as to how do you belong. I know, it’s very complicated to throw the trash. Once I’ve been to Cardiff, I went to a seminar of talk that was talking about City Town Planning. They said by next week, we will change our garbage bin into three coloured bins. And we will distribute plastics in green for recycling purpose. But the question that rose, who will be assorting those rubbish into the bin with green plastics? So in the morning after meeting my landlord and watching him renovating the lower basement, I went to watch the truck that brought about 2 men to come collect the garbage. It was a really small truck. Regarding the small street that had brought them there. And there was trash bins below our apartment. What’s strange about Sabah, is that we don’t actually own any bins. Besides seeing them scattered everywhere. The street and pavement are always litter free. And I wondered to myself. Is it because it was the habit through success education and awareness programme that promoted a free litter zone? And as well, of the idea of putting your sweet wrappers into your pocket? But of course besides that, there were employed sweepers to keep the street clean. As well, those that comes to collect your parking ticket.