JOHOR BARU: With the Visit Johor 2026 campaign on the horizon, the state has ramped up efforts to enhance cleanliness and public hygiene, kicking off a statewide “scrub-up” that is turning heads.
According to The Star, some 40 high-pressure jetting lorries have been deployed under “Operasi Tanpa Debu” (Dust-Free Operation), an initiative by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) to target key tourist hotspots and high-traffic public spaces.
“We want the streets to look like those in developed countries – well-maintained and always looking new. This will no longer be just a vision,” SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed was quoted as saying during a cleaning operation at Legaran Segget in Johor Baru.
The site, a popular urban walkway, saw three high-pressure cleaning lorries, a road-sweeper machine and 15 cleaning personnel in action, drawing curious onlookers as they scrubbed the area using water pressure alone with no chemicals involved.
Khalid said the cleaning efforts began in June in collaboration with SWM Environment and the Johor Baru City Council, with scheduled operations focusing on locations with high tourist footfall.
“Besides being rubbish-free, we want the city to be dust-free and dirt-free to welcome our visitors better,” he told The Star.
He said early efforts have focused on key tourism-friendly zones such as Puteri Harbour in Iskandar Puteri, Laman Kreatif Kluang and Dataran Kembara in Mersing, in addition to transport terminals, markets and public walkways across the state.
“This new approach has been rolled out across Johor, prioritising areas that tourists often frequent,” he said.
“We understand that cleanliness and aesthetic appeal in these areas will attract more tourists to explore the surrounding communities.”
Khalid added that Legaran Segget will soon boast a refreshed look, projecting a cleaner, more charming image of Johor’s capital city.
“Visitors from beyond Johor and even overseas will return home with stories of Johor Baru’s charm and beauty,” he said.
The intensified cleanliness drive is part of Johor’s broader preparations for Visit Johor 2026, as the state positions itself as a premier tourism destination in the region.
