CHUKAI: Black solid material believed to be coal fallen from a drifting barge that struck nearby rocks has polluted Teluk Kalong Beach near here.
A visitor, Ahmad Amadi Ali, 29, from Paka, Dungun, said he was shocked to find black solid material scattered along some 500m of the shoreline when he visited the beach on Monday (Jan 12).
"The situation prompted me to cancel my plan to swim as I was worried that the seawater in this area had been polluted and could affect skin health," he said.
A trader at the beach, Ahmad Firdaus Che Yahaya, 43, said he noticed the coal-laden barge drifting not far from the beach last Thursday.
He said the barge eventually ran aground along the beach over the past two days, and black patches were visible on the seabed several metres from the shoreline.
"Later, I saw the beach area begin to be covered with coal as the solid material was carried ashore by the waves during high tide," he said.
Meanwhile, Terengganu tourism, culture, environment and climate change committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said the Marine Department and the Environment Department (DOE) had been directed to take immediate action to clean up the beach, a popular tourist destination.
He said Telaga Simpul and Senajang beaches were two other beaches nearby that were reported to be polluted with coal.
Terengganu DOE director Hamzah Mohamad said although the coal washed ashore was not classified as scheduled waste that could pose a threat to the environment, the department would continue to monitor the situation to ensure visitor safety.
"The DOE has discussed the matter with representatives of the barge owner last Sunday, including issues related to beach clean-up works," he added. - Bernama
