A group photo of volunteers involved in the Tanjung Aru beach clean-up effort on Friday (May 23).
KOTA KINABALU: Nearly 120kg of waste was cleared from Tanjung Aru Beach in a recent clean-up effort, highlighting the ongoing commitment to protect Sabah’s coastal environment and raise awareness about marine pollution.
The initiative, held on Friday (May 23), was jointly organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and state-owned Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd (SEC), bringing together 91 volunteers determined to tackle the persistent threat of marine debris.
Leading the effort were SEC’s corporate services and property head, Kevin Padasian, and UMS EcoCampus Management Centre director, Professor Dr Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul.
The clean-up, which collected 119.9kg of waste, not only aimed to restore the coastline but also to cultivate a sense of responsibility and stewardship within the community.
“This amount of rubbish, gathered in just one session, reflects the scale of pollution we’re dealing with. It reinforces the need for continuous action to protect our beaches and ecosystems,” said Padasian in a statement.
He said the activity was part of SEC’s Green Ambassador Programme, which empowers employees to design and implement monthly sustainability-focused CSR initiatives.
The Tanjung Aru clean-up is the first of six approved projects under the programme, reflecting SEC’s ongoing efforts to integrate environmental sustainability into its corporate culture.
“With more initiatives in the pipeline, our message is clear, protecting the environment is a responsibility we all share. Sustainability must be driven by real action, not rhetoric,” said Padasian.
The collaboration also highlights the importance of partnerships between corporate and academic institutions in tackling environmental challenges.
