Rokiah Mahmud, Wani Roslan & Aziz Idris
Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC) and Brunei Shell Joint Venture Companies (BSJV) held their seventh year beach cleaning campaign in conjunction with the 35th International Coastal Clean-up Day, themed ‘Achieving a Trash Free Coastline’.
BSJV comprises Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd and Brunei Shell Marketing Company Sdn Bhd (BSM).
The cleaning campaign was concurrently along the beaches of Jerudong, Muara, Panaga and Lumut.
At the Jerudong Beach, BGC collaborated with the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) for the second year in celebrating World Maritime Day, marked on September 24 this year.
Over 200 participants helped fill 190 trash bags with 1,095 kilogrammes of discards.
BGC Managing Director John Cook said, many countries will not be able to participate in the event due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Fortunately in Brunei, we are able to continue this annual event, albeit in smaller numbers compared to last year’s record of 700 people joining the campaign on this beach.
“It is encouraging to see so many volunteers, students, members of the local community, business partners and youth from various associations working together towards a common goal to keep our beaches and seas clean, and most importantly, safe for our family and friends. As keen supporters of Brunei Darussalam’s efforts in promoting environmental sustainability, we will continue to organise events such as these to further promote environmental conservation and increase environmental consciousness in the country, especially with the younger generation,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, 266.8 kilogrammes of waste was collected from Muara Beach yesterday.
The event began with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Doa Selamat.
BSM Managing Director Muhammad Norshafiee bin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil underlined that everyone has a part to play in achieving a waste free coastline.
Legislative Council (LegCo) member and Acting Penghulu of Mukim Serasa Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Mohamed bin Pengiran Haji Osman @ Othman, Brunei-Muara District Officer Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim, BSM staff and management team, as well as local communities, government representatives and business partners stepped forward to lend a helping hand.
At the Sungai Liang Beach, nearly one tonne of trash was collected in the space of two hours.
Some 200 participants collected 230 bags of trash, weighing over 960 kilogrammes.
Acting Village Head of Sungai Liang Haji Mohd Ibrahim bin Daru Maharaja Setia Dian was the guest of honour.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari (in her capacity as Green Brunei Co-Founder and Community Engagement Director), Deputy Managing Director of Brunei LNG Ee Chang Sern, village heads, Brunei LNG staff, members of the Mukim Liang Community and Belait District Senior Citizens Association, as well as volunteers from Green Brunei and Poni Divers participated.
Ee Chang Sern said, “The International Coastal Clean-up encourages people to clear beaches of the garbage.
“We also hope to create awareness about preserving and protecting the world’s oceans and waterways.
“The most common types of garbage found on beaches are food wrappers, plastic straws, plastic bottle caps, and plastic beverage bottles. Plastics are especially harmful as they are non-biodegradable. Let’s do our best to collect as much rubbish this year and hopefully sustain the cleanliness of the beach so the community and all visitors can continue to enjoy Sungai Liang Beach.”
The clean-up was attended by surrounding communities of all ages, demonstrating the increasing environmental consciousness in Brunei Darussalam.