Malaysia's green tourism campaign keeping it green and clean

Malaysia’s latest ‘green tourism’ campaign 1 Malaysia Green, 1 Malaysia Clean (1MG1MC) was announced last year to instill a cleanliness mindset among Malaysians, especially at tourist spots.

Since the launch of the campaign by Minister of Tourism, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen the Ministry of Tourism has been working with four other ministry’s to ensure the campaign is a success, the Star reported.

Some of the initiatives and activities that form part of the 1 Malaysia Green, 1 Malaysia Clean campaign include ‘plant a tree project’ which encourages tourists to plant a tree at their registered homestay before departing Malaysia.

Collaborating with taxi associations to start up a “Cleanest Taxi” contest and ensuring knowledgeable, respectable drivers.  

Organising a “Cleanest Mall” competition by collaborating with giant hypermarkets to place the 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean campaign logo on giant shopping bags.

Collaboration with hawker associations to implement “cleanest hawker stall” competition and working with highway companies to distribute 1 Malaysia Green 1 Malaysia Clean stickers at toll plazas and rest areas to increase awareness of the campaign.

Children are also getting in on the fun with the launch of a TV programme featuring popular children’s character “Mr Bin” to highlight the importance of keeping the environment clean.

The Malaysian government is aiming to improve the country’s tourism industry which is expected to provide 2.7 million jobs in the industry by 2015.

To further enhance the campaign the Ministry of Tourism has also launched its website which allows the general public and tourists to upload pictures of any tourist spots that are untidy.