KOTA KINABALU: The title of the Elvis Presley’s song, ‘Return to Sender’ reflects the real situation of the dirty beaches in the state, according to Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun.
Commenting on the number of complaints from domestic and international tourists on their eyesore experience after visiting the beaches and islands around the state, Masidi said most of the rubbish are from the mainland.
“There is nothing we can hide about this disappointing situation, but we need to know that everything is caused by our irresponsible action. We need to change our attitude by throwing our rubbish responsibly.
“Many people says all the rubbish floating on the sea and on the beaches came from the islands, but research has proven that the rubbish comes from our rivers, drainage and irrigation system.
“It channels out to the seas and is brought back by the waves to the beaches,” said Masidi.
The song entitled, ‘Return to Sender’, said Masidi, is a clear answer that the sea is sending back all the rubbish thrown by the people in the mainland.
He added that as long as the people do not change their attitude, the problem of rubbish floating on the sea and landing on the beaches will not be solved.
“We are very serious with our action to respond to complaints that we received from our tourists. In Kota Kinabalu, the City Hall is doing daily cleaning up of our beaches but rubbish still keeps coming non-stop.
“There is no way we can stop this problem for so long as our people do not change their attitude. The people in the island may contribute to this problem but the people in the mainland are the most responsible party to answer the call to change their attitude,” added Masidi.