Turning the tide in Semporna
SEMPORNA: In the resort island of Mabul, tourists come and go but the trash stays.
Located off Sabah's east coast, Mabul is famed for its marine biodiversity and proximity to Sipadan Island, drawing divers from around the world.
But behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a village of about 3,800 residents, many lacking access to basic infrastructure, including waste collection.
Semporna, the coastal town that serves as a gateway to Mabul and other islands, has seen booming tourism.
Yet its island communities remain sidelined from development plans.
For years, waste disposal on Mabul meant dumping into the sea.
But Adzmin Fatta, a 32-year-old local environmentalist, knew it didn't have to stay that way.
Adzmin Fatta giving a talk on marine pollution and waste awareness to school students in Semporna as part of Reef Check Malaysia's community education outreach.
Adzmin, born and raised in Semporna, is the community coordinator for Reef Check Malaysia and co-founder of Green Semporna.
He has spent over a decade working on coral conservation and grassroots environmental work.
The fifth of seven siblings lost his father at five.
He didn't grow up speaking fluent English but picked it up after school through sheer determination.
His journey into environmental work began when he won a public speaking competition during STPM and was immediately offered a job with WWF.
'That was the start of everything,' he said in an interview.
Today, Adzmin works directly with villagers on waste management and conservation, focusing mainly on community ownership.
'People often blame the community for the trash but they forget how isolated these islands are.
'It's not that they don't care. They just don't have the system we have in urban areas.
'People keep talking about spreading awareness but they are aware. They just don't have a choice,' he said.
In 2023, after national attention on Mabul's worsening waste problem, Adzmin was appointed to the Semporna district's technical committee.
Instead of top-down solutions, he mobilised residents to form a cleanliness committee.
Within six months, over 70 tonnes of waste were collected and transported to the mainland.
'It showed that if you give the community the chance and support, they'll rise to it.'
Before Mabul, Adzmin led waste management systems on other islands.
On Mantanani Islands, his team works with 140 households, preventing over 145,000kg of waste from polluting the ocean since 2018.
A scorecard system rewarded 47 households with 'Excellence Certificates' in 2022.
Similar programmes followed in Larapan (2022–2024) and Selakan (2024–ongoing) in Semporna, each adapted to local needs.
'These aren't flashy projects. They rely on long-term trust,' he said.
Now, he's training young leaders to take over community projects, so he can support new areas.
'You don't need to be perfect. You just need to care and be consistent. That's how change starts.'
Still, Adzmin admits the work is tough.
'If I had a choice, I'd just eat, sleep and heal.
'But seeing the community's commitment keeps me going.'
He believes waste systems aren't just about hygiene. They are key to fighting marine pollution and biodiversity loss.
'The cost of biodiversity loss is far greater than the cost of basic waste systems. We all have a stake in this.'
Meanwhile, the Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) returns for the 11th edition to honour everyday Malaysians whose compassion and selflessness have made a lasting impact on others.
With McDonald's Malaysia as the new strategic partner, SGHA is poised to broaden its reach and deepen its impact nationwide.
This year also marks the debut of the McDonald's Caring Hearts Award – a special recognition honouring individuals or grassroots groups whose heartfelt acts of kindness have uplifted lives in profound and lasting ways.
Since its inception in 2015, SGHA has honoured over 100 individuals and organisations whose efforts have inspired action, transformed lives and strengthened communities nationwide.
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