Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (Bank Islam) through its corporate responsibility brand, AMAL, in collaboration with the Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK), Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), Alam Flora Sdn Bhd (Alam Flora) and Lembaga Tabung Haji today organised a Beach Plogging activity at Sepat Beach, Kuantan, Pahang.

Part of the Bank’s AMAL untuk ALAM initiative, the event aimed at promoting an active lifestyle among participants as well as fostering awareness and responsibility in maintaining the cleanliness and preservation of the environment.

Sepat Beach is a popular destination for local and foreign tourists due to its clean and beautiful beach. However, the irresponsible behaviour and attitude of some visitors who litters have affected the image of the beach. This problem is further exacerbated when wastes dumped from other beaches around Kuantan such as Teluk Cempedak Beach, Balok Beach and others are washed away to Sepat Beach.

The two-kilometre jogging and trash-collecting activity (plogging) along the beach involved more than 500 participants, including students from higher education institutions such as Sultan Ahmad Shah Islamic University College (KUIPSAS), Kuantan Vocational College, Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) Kuantan, Univerisiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and the International Islamic University of Malaysia (UIAM) Kuantan campus.

During the event, Bank Islam also contributed five beach swings and six units of benches for the convenience of beachgoers.

Encik Mohamed Iran Moriff Mohd Shariff, Chief Operating Officer of Bank Islam, said, “Plogging promotes the improvement of individual health while maintaining environmental cleanliness. This activity may be considered a new and small undertaking, but today we managed to collect one tonne of waste in an hour. We believe that a more significant impact can be achieved if everyone plays their role in fulfilling their responsibilities towards Mother Nature.”

“The efforts of Bank Islam and its strategic partners in organising the event is also in line with the United Nations’ global objectives, with particular reference to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities, 15-Life on Land and 17-Partnerships for the Goals,” added Encik Mohamed Iran.

During the event, Bank Islam also paid a visit to three underprivileged families in Kampung Pantai Sepat and presented contributions to them in the form of cash and necessities.