Housing Ministry to nominate award-winning cleaning workers for state honours

The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) intends to recognize award-winning cleaning workers by nominating them for state honors in 2026, according to Minister Nga Kor Ming. This decision was reached after consultations with KPKT secretary-general Datuk Dr Wira M Noor Azman Taib. The announcement came during the 2026 Cleaning Workers Appreciation Day, where Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu was also present.

Kor Ming highlighted the long-term commitment of many cleaning workers, who have served their profession for over a decade, with some dedicating nearly three decades to the cleaning sector. He emphasized the importance of these workers in maintaining a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for all Malaysians, despite often working in the shadows.

The Minister stressed that cleanliness is a shared responsibility among all citizens and called for the promotion of habits that discourage littering across all levels of society to achieve the 'Malaysia Bersih, Rakyat Sejahtera' goal.

In line with this, Kor Ming proposed that the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) intensify the enforcement of the Community Service Order (PKM) to encourage greater public involvement in maintaining cleanliness. As of August 17, 2026, a total of 14,807 offence notices had been issued, with 548 individuals serving Community Service Orders in various states. Of these, 419 had completed their orders, while 129 were still fulfilling them.

The Ministry has already recognized the efforts of cleaning workers in Penang for nearly a decade. The practice is now being extended to workers in other states, acknowledging their significant contributions. Seven workers were awarded the 2026 Cleaning Workers Award at the event, with two from Alam Flora Sdn Bhd and five from SWM Environment Sdn Bhd. Additionally, three recipients were honored to demonstrate support for the welfare of cleaning workers.