Taking out the trash: A diver holding up some of the rubbish found entangled between corals in waters off Mabul Island in Semporna.
KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah water concessionaire has entered the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for achieving a high-impact environmental clean-up of the state’s diving haven of Semporna.
The state government-linked company, Jetama Sdn Bhd, set the record for the heaviest marine debris underwater clean-up in a day, with a haul of 2,171kg.
It also collected 1,578kg of plastic waste underwater in a day.
The two national records through the environmental initiative of the Jetama Annual Underwater Clean-Up 2025 were made in the waters off Semporna town and Pulau Mabul on March 25 and 26.
The high-impact programme was officially recognised by MBOR for two extraordinary accomplishments on April 14, according to a statement issued by the company yesterday.
Both records also exceeded the stringent criteria set by MBOR, which required a minimum collection of 1,000kg of seabed waste and 350kg of plastic waste, with participation limited to no more than 20 professional divers.
Jetama chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Naim Uddang said these achievements mark a crucial turning point in the company’s efforts to support environmental sustainability through a comprehensive corporate social responsibility approach.
“This is not just about setting records. We want to set a new benchmark for underwater clean-up activities in Malaysia.
“Jetama believes the real impact lies in the amount of waste collected, not in the number of participants or time taken to achieve it.
“This effort reflects our firm commitment to environmental, social and governance principles, which now form the core of Jetama’s operations and strategic development,” he said.
The clean-up effort received support from the Semporna Professional Divers Association, Semporna Tourism Association, marine police and Semporna district council.
Ahmad Naim also encouraged organisations to break the Jetama records in order to inspire more impactful marine clean-up activities.
“We welcome healthy competition in terms of actual marine waste collection as that is what truly benefits the marine ecosystem.
“If someone breaks the record, it is a victory for the environment,” he added.
