23-06-2025
Joint beach clean-up by RCKS and Ascot Academy promotes environmental responsibility
The participants of the beach clean-up at Tanjung Lipat and the tons of garbage collected in two hours.
KOTA KINABALU (June 23): The Rotary Club of Kinabalu Sutera (RCKS) and Ascot Academy (AA), a TVET institution, organised a beach clean-up on June 21 at Tanjung Lipat Beach No. 1.
The initiative brought together approximately 80 participants, the majority of whom were students and lecturers from Ascot Academy. Also taking part were five RCKS members and four representatives from Trash Hero Kota Kinabalu.
Speaking on behalf of AA, Head of Academics Rommell Ray Maidin emphasised that the initiative aimed to instill a sense of environmental ownership among youth, raise awareness on the importance of cleanliness and cultivate responsibility toward the natural environment. He expressed hope that the project would become an annual joint Community Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative between AA and RCKS.
In his speech, RCKS President Dr Richard Gontusan stressed that environmental cleanliness goes beyond awareness; it must be put into action. He noted that the beach clean-up exemplified this principle and reaffirmed RCKS's commitment to community service. He too expressed hope that the event would become a yearly collaboration.
The clean-up event began with a lively Zumba session followed by breakfast. Participants then combed the beach for approximately two hours, collecting around 506.5 kg of rubbish, consisting largely of plastic waste and other debris.
Personnel from Kota Kinabalu City Hall were on site to weigh and transport the collected waste for proper disposal. The city council also presented certificates of appreciation to the event organisers.
The day concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony for all the participants and a lunch gathering, marking the end of a fulfilling and impactful day.
Notable RCKS participants included Past President Christina Aluda, Immediate Past President Roger Yapp, President-Elect Ken Chong, and Rotarian Jonathan George.
The success of the event was also owing in no small part to the efforts of Marlina Lius Oyohea from Ascot Academy, who played a key role in its coordination.
