A WHOPPING 300kg of rubbish was recorded as over 100 people rolled up their sleeves on a Saturday to clean up the beach and park under the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge in Penang.
The initiative was organised by M Summit Group as part of its monthly CSR activities in a run-up to its 25th anniversary celebration in October.
Themed Kita Jaga Pantai, Pantai Jaga Kita (Take Care of the Beach, and the Beach Takes Care of Us), the event aimed to support Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP’s) efforts to keep Penang cleaner and greener.
“When we first planned this beach clean-up, we knew we wanted to do something meaningful – not just for the environment, but also together, as a community.
“It is heartening to note that 40% of the participants are members of the public, while the rest are our staff. Small actions, when done together, can create a big impact,” said M Summit Group chief executive officer Moh Wei Ren at the event on Aug 2.
“Where else do you get exercise, fresh air, and a beautiful view of the Penang second bridge … all at once?” he asked.
He also thanked the council for giving its full support and spirit of collaboration. The morning began with a briefing by MBPP chief senior assistant environmental health officer Mohd Taufik Junik on the importance of keeping our beaches clean and the correct way to handle different types of waste.
Each participant received a limited edition dry-fit event T-shirt.
Among the participants from the public were old friends Queenie Wong and Ethel Ng, in their 40s, who both shared a love for the outdoors.
“Ethel and I met through hiking three to four years ago, and we have been close ever since. When I learnt about the beach clean-up on Facebook, I immediately thought of her,” Wong said.
Ng, who came all the way from Bukit Mertajam, said: “Doing this together brought back memories and gave us a chance to give back, side by side, like we always have.”
Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Siti Soraya Lin, 39, was searching online for something purposeful to do when she came across the beach clean-up.
Although she had planned to bring her family from Seberang Prai, they overslept, so she came alone.
“I wanted to challenge myself to step out, meet new people and do something that felt right. It’s not just about cleaning the beach. It’s about giving back and growing as a person.”
Chris Koay was looking for something meaningful to do over the weekend when he came across M Summit’s beach clean-up event on social media.
He invited his wife, Mayuree, and friend Tan Kai Sheong, who had just returned from Singapore.
Koay added: “I casually mentioned the idea, and to my surprise, they were both excited about it. We’re at a point in life when doing something positive together feels really fulfilling. This was a great way to reconnect, spend time outdoors and contribute to something bigger than ourselves.”
To mark M Summit’s 25th anniversary, other CSR activities included free haircuts and meals at the Homeless Transit Centre, a birthday buffet party at the Little Sisters of the Poor, career talks for students and festive goodies for the Rifle Range community.
Pix courtesy of M. Summit Group
