No more clean sand, clear water at Pasir Putih beach
SANDAKAN, nicknamed the nature city, is located at the east coast of Sabah. What is to be expected from the town that is also known as the seafood paradise located right by the Sulu Sea?
Many answers could be correct, including Sandakan’s famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and vast options of fresh seafood, but sadly, the beach is not one of them.
Visitors who are new to Sandakan may find it surprising that Sandakan has no clean recreational beach available. The nearest beach that could be visited is Pasir Putih, located only a few minutes away from the town. The beach which used to be a destination for recreational and relaxing activities for the locals in the early 90’s had wide and clean sand with clear water.
Now, locals call Pasir Putih, which in Malay translates to ‘white sand’, as ‘pasir sampah’ or ‘rubbish sand’.
Sand in Pasir Putih, which was once used by children to build sand castles, is now filled with rubbish that only keeps coming even after cleaning up. Only a few people would dare to touch the sea water which was once a favourite spot for people to swim.
This is a sad scenario for a local, Yakub Fong, 26, who used to visit Pasir Putih with his family when he was around five years old.
“I remember the good times I had at Pasir Putih when I was younger. The sand area was wide and clean, it was beautiful. Now, no one wants to go to the beach as there is nothing to enjoy there. Who would enjoy the view of dirty sand and water?” he asked. Yakub also said he remembered Pasir Putih was a place for his church members to get baptised, and now the church has moved to the swimming pool for that. Locals do not think that the water is safe for one to immerse into.
“At times, my friends from outside of Sandakan, such as Kota Kinabalu and Peninsula would come and visit Sandakan. I would be truly ashamed to tell them that Sandakan has no good beach to visit. Sandakan is located right by the sea. It is only logical that we would have a beach for us to visit and relax, like (beaches) in Kota Kinabalu,” he said.
Knowing the need to clean up Sandakan’s once beautiful beach, many non-governmental organisations and political parties have had ‘gotong royong’ or cleaning up activities from time to time. However, the beach would only be clean for about a week after the activity before it becomes the same dirty beach.
Another local, Bryan Chan Shak Hung, 40, said he was one of the volunteers who joined the cleaning up activity at Pasir Putih.
“The last time I went to Pasir Putih was in 2016. It cannot be denied that Pasir Putih, which was once so beautiful, is now full of rubbish and glass bottles. Even though there are many parties doing ‘gotong royong’ here, the situation is still uncontrollable. Rubbish is still washed to the shore,” he said.
Many believe the rubbish at Pasir Putih is from ships (fishermen) at the area as well as water villages and islands nearby.
“I once joined a ‘gotong royong’ activity at Pasir Putih, last year. I was shocked to see what had become of the beach. There are countless members of the public who are aware of keeping our beach clean, but I think the local government like the Sandakan Municipal Council has to play its part in enforcing heavy compound to those who litter in the sea and rivers.
“Until now, the people of Sandakan are still waiting for a beach that reflects Sandakan as the nature city. I hope that local leaders (assemblymen and members of parliament) would use their allocation to upgrade our beach to a recreational spot for the locals as well as tourists,” he said.
Pasir Putih used to be the main destination for the people in Sandakan, especially for families to spend time during weekends. Now, locals opt for recreational parks around Sandakan for recreational activities.