By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, March 12: A beach cleanup along Marina Beach, hosted by Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) successfully collected 2,363kg of trash within a two-hour period earlier today.
The event gathered 250 volunteers from 19 bodies and agencies including non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Miri Mayor Adam Yii, who was amongst the volunteers, praised NSJA for its effort.
Also present were NSJA president Andy Jong and the event’s organising chairman Chai Choon Chin.
Yii who described the event as the largest such beach cleanup so far this year.
“The purpose of this beach cleanup is to jointly maintain and protect the cleanliness of the coastal environment of Miri City to attract tourists. It is a necessary measure to raise the awareness of the community on the importance of environmental cleanliness,” he said.
“Miri’s seaside location is unique, with many beaches. If we maintain our beach well, it will attract tourists. It is hoped that this campaign will draw the attention of the local community to the importance of keeping beaches clean as this will greatly boost local tourism,” Yii pointed out.
At the same time, he added, that this is also in line with Miri City Council’s (MCC) commitment to achieve its goals in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Among the various agencies and organisations involved were Zone 6 Miri Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Civil Defence Department (APM), Future Ocean Borneo/ Borneo Ghost Nets Hunter, Laksa Runner Miri, Miri Hakka Association (Youth Section), Miri Tai Poo Association (Youth Section), Miri Clan Lau Association (Youth Section), Federation of Miri Division Chinese Associations Sarawak (Youth Section), Lions Club of Batu Niah, Lions Club of Lutong, JCI Miri, JCI Riam, Institution of Engineers Malaysia Miri Branch (IEM), Sarawak Lakiput Association, Seeker Cafe, Miri Bulatan Park Taiji Qigong Shibashi, RTM and MCC. — DayakDaily
