ON a cloudy and breezy Saturday morning, a group of 60 volunteers, led by Madam Tan Lean Kee, the wife of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, descended on the rocky shores near Kampung Permatang Damar Laut in Batu Maung.
They gathered there on Oct 7 for a significant mission – to clean up the beach and protect the coastal area.
These 60 volunteers hailed from three organisations, namely Pertubuhan Wanita Mutiara Pulau Pinang (PWMPP), Persatuan Suri dan Anggota Wanita Perkhidmatan Awam (Puspanita) Cawangan Negeri Pulau Pinang and Puspanita Daerah Barat Daya.
This beach clean-up activity was jointly organised by these three associations and was held in conjunction with the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2023.
Throughout the activity, they handled various forms of waste, including plastics, clothing and even glass bottles.
Tan, who is also the PWMPP president and patron of Puspanita Cawangan Negeri Pulau Pinang, said this marked the first time such activity was held involving all three associations.
“Apart from creating great bonds within our teams, we also wish to raise awareness and educate the public about responsible waste disposal, especially concerning plastics.
“Following the trash collection, all waste was separated based on recyclable materials and handed over to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for recycling purposes.
“We also encourage all Penangites to take part in similar clean-up activities to protect our beaches and our rivers.
“Our action to reduce the use of plastics and promote collection, separation and recycling is an important part of our pledge to combat climate change and accelerate our journey towards net-zero emissions and plastic neutrality. After all, together we can do more for a cleaner and greener Penang,” she said.
It is learnt that the data from the beach clean-up activity was also collected and sent to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for research purposes.
Also present during the programme were Puspanita Cawangan Negeri Pulau Pinang vice-chairman Datin Noriza Yusoff and Puspanita Cawangan Negeri Pulau Pinang secretary Noor Harizah Azfar Ali Bahrun.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal