A TOTAL of 50 volunteers from ASEZ WAO (the Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group of the World Mission Society Church of God) together with members of the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) Jalan Tengah and other volunteers joined hands in a coastal clean-up programme at Pantai Seagate near Jambatan Harapan in Bayan Lepas yesterday (Feb 8).
ASEZ WAO representative Michael Tan said the initiative was organised in response to the growing threat of plastic pollution to marine ecosystems, with the aim of raising public awareness on environmental protection.
“This activity was held as part of ASEZ WAO’s ‘No More Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)’ campaign.
“It is a global environmental initiative that carries the message ‘No More Plastic!’ to the international community.
“The GPGP refers to a massive accumulation of marine debris, mainly plastic waste, floating in the North Pacific Ocean,” he explained.
Tan said that over the course of approximately two hours, the volunteers cleaned a 1.5-kilometre stretch of the beach, collecting about 150kg of litter, including plastic bags, bottles and food packaging that had been irresponsibly discarded.
“In addition to the clean-up effort, a panel exhibition was organised to highlight the seriousness of plastic pollution and its impact on the environment.
“The public observed the exhibition displays closely and many expressed their willingness to support and participate in environmental campaigns,” he added.
Penang Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol, who is also the Pantai Jerejak assemblyman, was present at the programme.
Fahmi welcomed the youths’ commitment to community service and supported the initiative by providing cleaning tools and equipment.
He also conveyed his sincere appreciation to the volunteers for their dedication in preserving the local environment.
Tan further shared that ASEZ WAO has actively carried out similar clean-up programmes nationwide, including in Titiwangsa (Kuala Lumpur), Sunway City (Selangor), Pasir Gudang (Johor) and Pantai Esen in Penang.
“ASEZ WAO has also contributed to enhancing the terrestrial ecosystem by planting 200 trees in Taman Skudai, Johor.
“Beyond environmental efforts, we have undertaken various community activities such as painting polluted street walls to beautify neighbourhoods and visiting child welfare homes to spread care and compassion,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix courtesy of ASEZ WAO