Tg Aru dwellers to embark on major coastal cleanliness campaign
KOTA KINABALU: The residents of Tanjung Aru Baru will organise a major coastline cleaning campaign.
In coordination with community leaders and other localised organisations, its leader Roger Chong said such campaign is necessary for health purposes and due to the rising number of local and foreign tourists visiting Tanjung Aru.
“We are going to have our meeting next week to finalise the mechanics of the campaign ... our efforts is also in line with the advice of our Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai,” he recealed.
Roger who is also Parti Anak Negeri P 173 Putatan Parliamentary Chairman, said the group willl be setting nets to collect rubbish, especially those coming from the nearby Pulau Gaya island.
“We noticed that the volume of rubbish in our shoreline is rapidly increasing everyday and calls for immediate action from the affected residents ... keeping the city clean is not the sole responsibility of City Hall. As responsible dwellers, it is our community and social obligation to help preserve our environment,” he stressed.
Roger said it is only logical to keep Tanjung Aru clean and tidy considering the number of tourists visiting our area and also for health reason, especially the children.
He said the Tanjung Aru Baru community had agreed to clean the shoreline regularly as one of the many measures to improve the health and environment of the community.
“I am a local of Tanjung Aru and it is for this very reason that I continue to do extra voluntary community works which include repairing of foot bridges, donations for less fortunate members, and constantly monitoring the living conditions of fellow dwellers amongst others,” he said, adding that the group is also very concerned about the other areas like Sembulan, including Pulau Gaya.
With the coming Christmas and New Year celebrstions, he said the group will also seek advices and possible approval from City Hall on its noble plan to decorate Tanjung Aru with hanging Christmas lanterns.
“This is one way of bringing the spirit of the Yultide season to our fellow dwellers regardless of their religious affiliation ... putting up colourful Christmas lanterns will also help in the government’s ongoing beautification programme, especially during this particular auspicious occasion which the world will be celebrating come December 25 and January 1,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Roger together with his deputy chairman Andrew Wong, secretary Cecilia Barintang, Rosita Barham, Saidullah Sammah and Sahar Bin Piasin visited the immediate family members of the late Ramlah Hj Omar who departed on December 5 at the age of 67.
Ramlah was the Upko Wanita chief prior to her death.
During the visitat, Roger on behalf the group extended condolences and financial assistance to the family after which the group inspected the condition of the 750-foot bridge which he donated in Sembulan.
He also spent time chatting with the Sembulan folks to listen to their problems and other matters.