EVERYONE is encouraged to care for the environment and its cleanliness, especially its tourism products in line with the theme, Love My Malaysia.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik emphasised the importance of adopting the culutre of caring for the environment when he officiated the Beautiful and Clean Malaysia Volunteerism Programme (Program Voluntourism Malaysia Bersih dan Indah) at Dataran Pancing Jeti Nelayan Pulau Betong in Balik Pulau on April 6.
The activities carried out at the Pulau Betong fishermen jetty area included cleaning the surrounding compound and river, planting of plants, auditing of waste collected and building of ecobricks (which is a process to recycle non-biodegradable plastic).
Muhammad Bakhtiar said an online competition would be held through the volunsharing programme to encourage the public to share tourism products of the country.
“This programme also gives the public the opportunity to share the beauty and cleanliness of the surroundings through # Malaysiabersihindah and #Balikpulau.
“The winner will be announced a week after the programme started,” he added.
Muhammad Bakthiar commented that waste audit process under his ministry and handled by Trash Hero would determine a community’s characteristics.
The programme was supported by ambassador for River of Life, Maya Karin, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), students from Balik Pulau Polytecnic, SJKT Sungai Ara, Persatuan Nelayan Pulau Betong and Trash Hero members.
Also present were Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail and MBPP secretary Addnan Mohd Razali.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Idzham Ahmad