Kota Kinabalu: The Assistant Environmental Health Inspectors (Sabah Local Authorities) Union held its bi-annual general meeting recently, with its newly-elected President Dionysa Lantong hoping the body will foster a greater sense of solidarity among everyone in the field.
“We are committed to forging links which go beyond those agencies that our members belong to,” she said.
“We intend to develop a closer co-operation with other government bodies not represented in the Union to enable these bodies to gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an environmental health inspector.”
Besides Dionysia, the other office-bearers for the 2025-2027-term include Juelber Bin Albert (Vice President), Marcellinus Alliun Jr (Secretary), Bainis Lutot (Assistant Secretary), Fenny Binti Momoh (Treasurer) and Sanisah Binti Juma (Assistant Treasurer).
The new committee also includes seven other members: Yanti Zahlan, Willman Bin Mihon, Johnny Mausai, Elrin Atek Deavis, Michael J Bubudan, Andrew Lall and Maznah Awang.
Dionysia said 27 Union members attended the meeting, from 27 districts throughout Sabah, including Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Sandakan, Tawau, Tuaran, Ranau, Tambunan, Keningau, Tenom, Sipitang, Kota Marudu and Lahad Datu.
The Union Logo was also launched at the meeting.
Dionysia said the Assistant Environmental Health Inspectors Union was set up on Oct 4, 2024.
It was officially registered under Section 12(1) of the Trade Union Act 1959 less than a year later, on June 16, this year.
“The Union may have primarily been established to look after the welfare of its members.
“However, we also want to raise the level of professionalism among inspectors, besides emphasising the strategic role they play in the overall system of environmental health.”
In early November, Union representatives from Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Ranau and Kota Marudu paid a courtesy call on Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah.
“Several topics came up during the discussion with the Mayor,” she said.
“Among these were suggestions on how to improve the career paths of environmental health inspectors and their assistants, as well as the possibility of increasing job opportunities and logistical facilities in this field.”
