| Danial Norjidi |
A BRUNEIAN volunteer, Mohd Rizan bin Dr Haji Abdul Latif, has been recognised with a Commonwealth Points of Light award by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Mohd Rizan is the President and founder of Beach Bunch, a clean-up organisation that has inspired over 12,000 volunteers to collect 28.2 tonnes of litter from Brunei’s beaches. He was inspired to act after hearing how often surfers were being hit by waste in the sea and organised his first clean-up with 20 friends in 2009 before launching Beach Bunch with Alan Tan the following year.
Mohd Rizan is the second Bruneian to receive a Commonwealth Points of Light after Haji Muhammad Iqbal Fakhri bin Haji Damit, the founder of Hand4handbn, a Brunei-based charity organisation that has been actively involved in volunteer projects since its inception in 2009, who won the award in February this year for his exemplary initiative in mobilising aid to Rohingyan refugees.
According to a press release from the British High Commission, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has recognised Mohd Rizan of Brunei Darussalam as the 58th Commonwealth Points of Light in honour of his exceptional voluntary service supporting marine conservation.”
Under Mohd Rizan’s leadership, Beach Bunch takes part in regular clean-ups and now also works to make locals fitter and healthier. Over 3,000 people have been motivated to take part in an annual ‘Beachathon Series’ which aims to transform Brunei’s beaches into public venues for a variety of trial run challenges.
Mohd Rizan is also collaborating with the government on the National Beach Safety Taskforce, promoting lifeguarding courses in schools, installing rescue equipment on beaches and providing information on rip currents to keep locals and tourists safe in the water.
The press release noted that as part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty the Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognising one volunteer from each Commonwealth country each week in the two years following the summit.
By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution in tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.
Each Commonwealth Points of Light will receive a personalised certificate signed by Her Majesty the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.
The award for Mohd Rizan was presented yesterday by the British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Richard Lindsay at Berakas Beach.
Speaking on the award, Mohd Rizan said, “I would like to thank the UK government for this prestigious award and being the second Bruneian to receive the Points of Light is indeed an honour.
“My vision is to continue promoting our beach culture for cleaner and more enjoyable beaches as we have some beautiful ones in Brunei. It includes community and environmental efforts to promotw a healthier lifestyle through beach runs, or lifesaving efforts.
“I am also passionate about promoting Brunei as a beach tourist hotspot,” he added.
The British High Commissioner said, “Many congratulations to Rizan Latif on receiving the Point of Light award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his inspirational work to protect the environment and to keep Brunei’s beaches clean and safe.
“Through the organisation that he founded, Beach Bunch, Mohd Rizan continues to bring people together to raise awareness of Brunei’s beautiful coastline and help tackle the global issue of plastic pollution on our beaches and in our seas,” said the High Commissioner.
“There is an urgent need to save our environment – whether you live near the coast in Brunei or in Britain,” he added.
The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 53 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The heads of government meeting brought together leaders from all the 53 member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people.
“Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty the Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way,” the press statement added.