The significant amount of rubbish gathered during the recent beach and underwater cleaning event in the city highlights the urgent need for continuous clean-up efforts and enhanced waste management strategies.
According to Kinabalu Sutera Rotary Club Community Service chair Chaw Zie Der, a total of 480kg of trash was collected during the clean-up programme at the Tanjung Lipat area on Jan 18.
In a statement, Chaw emphasized the critical necessity for consistent clean-up initiatives and improved waste management, particularly along coastal areas.
The initiative was carried out by the Rotary Club of Kinabalu Sutera in collaboration with partners such as the City Hall Trash Hero, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Technology and Management (TAR UMT), and Sabah Parks.
Over 50 volunteers, including local residents, students, and representatives from these partner organizations, took part in the beach clean-up, equipped with gloves and masks to comb the beach and its surrounding areas.
Chaw highlighted that the event demonstrated the impact of community involvement and served as an educational platform for all those involved.
In addition to the beach clean-up, volunteers also conducted an underwater clean-up, during which approximately 50kg of rubbish was collected from the sea.
This underwater initiative was spearheaded by club president Roger Yapp and involved the participation of the Marine Research Foundation and other non-governmental organizations.
The focus of the project was Padang Point, an untouched underwater ecosystem located off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.
Yapp noted that the trash collected underwater consisted of plastic waste, discarded fishing gear, and other debris that posed a threat to marine life and the delicate underwater environment.
He also emphasized that the notable success of the underwater clean-up project is a reminder that, through commitment and innovative collaboration, natural treasures can be safeguarded and preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.
