50 tourists help locals in beach clean-up

 A SUCCESS: 40 bags of rubbish collected in ‘Keep Mabul Clean’ campaign organised by dive company

AS security forces continue  their operations to hunt down Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu, about 50 tourists from several countries joined hands  with the local community to clean up Pulau Mabul  beach here yesterday.

Organised and sponsored by Scuba Junkie, which won the Wild Asia award for Responsible Tourism 2012, it marked the dive company’s 1,000th beach clean-up.

The clean-up saw 40 bags of rubbish collected and brought back to the mainland to be disposed of by the Semporna District Council.

Scuba Junkie has been running their “Keep Mabul Clean” campaign for the past four years with great success.

Together with beach clean-ups every second day of the week, they had also set up and sponsored the only rubbish collection point on the island.

Director Richard Owen said: “It’s great to see so many people participating. The positive feedback we received from the locals is fantastic.”

The situation in Lahad Datu and the incidents in Simunul last week had not deterred tourists from visiting Mabul.

Owen said Mabul Resort was fully booked the last two days, with 10 of its 12 dive boats filled with divers.

Although rumours were being spread, Owen said tourists at the resort were confident with the level of security.

“We are also in constant contact with the authorities who have been informing us daily that the area here and the islands are safe and secure.”

Louise Hayter from the United Kingdom, who took part in the clean-up, commended the dive company for giving back to the local community.

“Mabul is a lovely island. I have had some of the best dives in my life here over the last few days.

“I have felt safe throughout my stay here.”

Source : New Straits Times