Over 200 participants collected 372.5 kilogrammes (kg) of waste, 183kg of which were plastic bottles, during the nationwide coastal cleaning campaign for marine debris, ‘Coastal Marvel’, under the committee on cleanliness issues (JIIK) of the Ministry of Development (MoD) yesterday.
The campaign at the Muara Beach Recreational Park was organised by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) in conjunction with Earth Day.
Permanent Secretary (Planning, Land Use and Environment) at the MoD Dr Nor Imtihan binti Haji Abdul Razak was the guest of honour.
The campaign incorporated Marvel-Race 2024, a mini competition between departments and divisions under the MoD involving movement, interactive and information activities.
The winner of the race went to the Housing Development Department, with the Department of Water Services in second place and the Corporate Management Division and Board Management Division (BMD) sharing the third spot.
Permanent Secretary (Infrastructure, Housing and Professional) at the MoD Ir Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria presented the prizes.
Introduced in 2021, Coastal Marvel is a lead-by-example governmental effort to increase public awareness on the importance of maintaining cleanliness, especially on coastal areas and on water, while instilling a sense of responsibility in protecting and preserving the environment.
Deputy Permanent Secretary (Construction Industry and Development) at the MoD Sr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Yaakub, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Corporate and Law) Aldila binti Haji Mohammad Salleh, and JASTRe Director Hajah Martinah binti Haji Tamit as event chairperson as well as department heads, deputy/assistant department heads, division heads, officers and staff of the MoD also joined the campaign. – James Kon
