Daniel Lim
Non-government organisation (NGO) The Last Straw held a beach clean-up along the shores of Belait District yesterday, where its volunteers collected over 100 bags of trash.
Beginning at the Panaga Beach Shelter of Panaga Club, the campaign reached as far as the Billionth Barrel Monument and E1 Beach front in front of the Officer’s Mess Hall along Jalan Maulana.
The campaign aimed at ensuring the cleanliness of the beaches are maintained by frequent visitors to the beaches, especially those who are a part of the Adopt-a-Beach programme implemented two years ago.
Volunteer Zafirah Morshidi said the Adopt-A-Beach programme “aims to inspire action in keeping the beaches clean as groups can voluntarily ‘adopt’ a section of the beach in the Panaga area to maintain its cleanliness in their own time”.
She added that the organisation also discourages the use of single-use plastics in favour of reusing to reduce waste. The trash collected were mainly plastics, which she explained if left intact, can become micro-plastics which are invasive to the ecosystem and health.
“We also aim to conduct frequent cleaning campaign to remind the public on the importance of keeping our beaches clean for all to enjoy,” said Zafirah.
Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP) Managing Director Agnete Johnsgaard-Lewis also participated. She was accompanied by volunteer Marie McCredy and founding member of The Last Straw Ramon Van Dijk.
Johnsgaard-Lewis expressed delight in the initiative and hopes the event will inspire more initiatives of its kind in the future.
