Volunteers work together to clear the rubbish during the ‘gotong-royong’ at Marina Beach in Miri. MIRI (Feb 23): A consistent, structured programme must be implemented to tackle the issue of dirty beaches and restore Mir’s reputation as a tourism city. In making this call upon all the relevant agencies including the Miri City Council (MCC), Minister of Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin specified on proactive steps in drafting a long-term plan for Marina Beach, a popular site in the city that is now littered with debris and plastic waste washed ashore. “After closely observing the ‘gotong-royong’ (work party) to clean up the areas affected by the recent floods, I have noted that most of the waste washed up ashore originates from the local residential and commercial zones. “Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to properly manage the waste that they produce,” said the Senadin assemblyman when officiating at a clean-up programme, at Marina Beach here today. The ‘gotong-royong’ involved some 300 volunteers representing various agencies including the Resident’s Office, MCC, Miri District Education Office, Sarawak Forest Department, and the Armed Forces. Recently, Miri City Caring Society (MCCS) had called upon the private and public entities to take action, following rubbish pile-up along Marina Beach. On the ‘gotong-royong’, Lee stressed that it must not be a short-term initiative that would only be carried once or twice a year. “Rather, it should be a weekly effort. “Set a goal to completely clean the beach within a year or two. There is no point in doing it just once or twice. Make it a long-term programme that can create real impact and raise public awareness.” Also present was Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting.

Yii (fourth left) distributing rice to one of the recipients. MIRI (Feb 22): A ‘Program Bersama Komuniti’ was held at SJKC Chung Hua Krokop here today, aimed at improving the well-being of local residents. The programme is part of the People’s Project Community Programme (PKPR) under the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak. Speaking at the event, Mayor Adam Yii emphasised the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for the communities through proactive programmes. “This is more than just an awareness campaign; it is about ensuring our residents have access to healthcare information, environmental education, and social support,” he said. The event served as a platform for community engagement with the ‘Mesra Kasih’ initiative, fostering stronger bonds among residents. Health briefings and free screenings were also provided by local medical organisations to encourage residents to take preventive measures against diseases. Yii, the Pujut assemblyman, also extended his thanks to those involved, particularly the Miri City Council, for its role in making the programme a success. He reiterated his commitment to expanding similar initiatives to ensure every resident has access to essential health services and a more sustainable living environment.

MCCS volunteers trawl through Marina Beach which is strewn with rubbish, primarily consisting of plastic waste. MIRI (Feb 22): Seven volunteers from the Miri City Caring Society (MCCS) cleared enormous piles of rubbish that washed ashore on Marina Beach on Saturday morning in a bid to highlight the urgent need to address the environmental disaster plaguing the once beautiful shoreline. Between 7am and 8am, the volunteers filled up 30 bags of plastic waste, primarily consisting of plastic bottles. This follows the previous cleanup activity on March 15, where 50 bags of waste were collected. In a statement, MCCS president Karambir Singh said the cleanup was initiated to draw attention to the environmental disaster that has overtaken the beach. “The alarming situation at Marina Beach, where plastic waste has made it nearly impossible to see the sand, clearly shows the severity of the issue. “In addition to being an environmental disaster, the plastic waste has become an eyesore. I personally saw some tourists with cameras looking disappointed by the state of the beach. It is disheartening to see our natural beauty marred by plastic waste,” he said. Karambir (left) and the other volunteers give the thumbs up after the cleanup activity. Therefore, he was glad the Miri City Council (MCC) has now joined forces and is planning a cleanup on Sunday (Feb 23), and called for more organisations to come forward to help restore Marina Beach to its former glory. “We would also like to call upon all, for concrete and sustainable actions, to eliminate plastic waste from our drains, rivers and seas. Collective effort from all sectors of society is essential to tackle this pressing issue and protect our environment for future generations,” he said. He added MCCS is open to any collaborative activities and public or private entities can contact him at 016-878 5500.

Radzali (centre) and PMM members show their letters of appeal in regards to the old MCC building. MIRI (Feb 10): Persatuan Melayu Miri (PMM) is calling on to the state government to reconsider its plan to turn the old city council building here into the upcoming Fudan University Biodiversity Museum. In making this call, PMM chairman Radzali Alision said while they welcomed the setting up of Fudan University campus here, the association felt that the old council building would be better repurposed as a facility that could benefit the local population at large. “The biodiversity museum project ought to be located at other site instead such as in the existing Petroleum Science Museum on Canada Hill or in the Piasau Nature Reserve,” he told a press conference here Saturday. “We firmly object to the setting up of the proposed biodiversity museum in the former Miri City Council (MCC) and Resident’s Office premises as we believe that this historical building is most suited to be turned into a cultural museum or even a public library.” Radzali claimed this was what many Mirians want—to turn the building which holds significant historical value into one that could help boost local tourism and benefit the local people. Being located in the heart of the city within its close distance to the Visitors’ Information Centre, he said the building is best suited as an addition to Miri’s tourist attractions to showcase the local cultural heritage. Radzali, who also spoke on behalf of the Persatuan Kedayan Miri, Persatuan Alhasaniyah Miri and other concerned members of like-minded non-governmental organisations, expressed hope that the relevant authorities would seriously look into the matter. “Do take the local residents’ sentiments and aspirations into consideration when dealing with the sites or buildings of interest in future,” he said.

Lee (right, facing camera) inspects the outlet which was blocked by earth disposed of by the developer into the drain. MIRI (Feb 5): Miri City Council (MCC) has been called to reinstate the operation of roll-on roll-off (Roro) bins as part of an ongoing effort to mitigate flood incidents in residential areas such as Senadin and Permyjaya, said Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. The state Transport Minister, who is also the minister in charge of the Divisional Disaster Management Committee, said that one of the main reasons why the water level in these areas took longer to recede following last week’s flood was blocked drains. “I went to check on the flood situation in Desa Senadin and Permyjaya last weekend, which experienced the worst flooding this time. I saw a lot of floating rubbish. “Two days with no rain, but the water still did not subside. It was stagnant, so what was the cause then? You cannot blame the rain anymore,” he told reporters after visiting a project site at the Pujut Corner-Miri Bypass traffic light intersection yesterday. He hoped that MCC, along with other agencies such as the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), would immediately clear rubbish and vegetation that are blocking the drains. Additionally, he urged residents to be responsible when disposing of their rubbish. “I suggest MCC reinstate the system of having Roro bins so that people have a proper place to throw their rubbish. “The public must cooperate and use the bins properly,” he said. Lee reiterated that action can be taken against those who dispose of their rubbish irresponsibly. During the visit to the project site, Lee called on the Land and Survey (L&S) Department to warn the developer to remove the earth that was blocking the outlet from discharging water into the main river. Lee said that Kampung Pujut Tanjung Batu was one of the villages worst affected by the recent flood due to irresponsible earth dumping into the drain. “They blocked it, and when we asked the council (MCC) and L&S to contact the developer, they couldn’t. So in the end, the villagers had to remove the earth themselves using hoes,” he said.