Volunteer divers removing the rubbish from under the sea.
KOTA KINABALU: Astro has successfully set a new Guinesss World Records title for the longest underwater clean up where 134 Astro Kasih volunteer divers completed over 168 consecutive hours of underwater clean up, at 14 dive sites surrounding the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park here from April 6-13.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, with Astro chairman Tun Zaki Tun Azmi, yesterday witnessed the Guinesss World Records certification presentation for the longest underwater clean up by Kirsty Bennett, Guinesss World Records Adjudicator to Dato Rohana Rozhan, the Chief Executive Officer of Astro.
The event was also attended by many local and international divers who volunteered for this attempt.
During the attempt, Astro Kasih volunteer divers from Malaysia as well as France, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA, Lithuania, Switzerland, Hong Kong and the Netherlands conducted a total of 1,120 dives at 224 dive locations surrounding Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.
The Astro Kasih volunteer divers collected over three tons of marine debris, including plastic bottles and bags, fishing lines, nets, cans and tires.
Musa congratulated Astro for taking the lead in another exemplary initiative under its CSR arm, Astro Kasih.
“Astro has taken on an active role in creating greater awareness in marine conservation for a beautiful Malaysia. I encourage more companies in Malaysia to play a bigger role in conservation, as it is only through our collective efforts, that we will be able to pass on a beautiful country for our future generation,” he said in his speech delivered by Masidi.
Masidi said: “As we all know, Sabah is famous for its unique, rich and natural habitat. Hence, it is important we all work together, hand-in-hand to promote ecotourism among Malaysians and the international community, to build a clean, sustainable and healthy environment that is free from any pollution”.
One of the divers, Captain Kumaran Balakrishnan said in his 30 years of diving experience, this was by far his most fulfilling experience, especially diving midnight during a storm in choppy waters.
“As a diving instructor who spent most of the time in the ocean, I am glad that I am able to do my part for the environment. Thumbs up Astro for a job well done,” he said.
Astro employee Izamuddin bin Abdul Rahman said he was really proud to take part in this Astro Kasih CSR initiative.
“It was truly a memorable and fulfilling experience for me to complete all my dives and be part of this wonderful attempt. I also enjoyed meeting other local and foreign divers and sharing our experiences”.
In conjunction with the event, Astro Radio is the first to broadcast underwater live, and recently hitz.fm together with its announcers from Sabah, shared their experiences and updated their listeners on their dive attempt.