Use trash from Miri beaches to create winning replicas

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Trash from beaches that can be used in the Upscale Ocean Trash Competition.

MIRI: Students who can come up with replicas of wonders found in Sarawak using trash, stand a chance to win cash prizes plus trophies totalling RM5,400 under the Upscale Ocean Trash Competition to be held here on Sept 16.

The competition is part of the inaugural celebration in Sarawak and Miri of the International Coastal & World Clean-up Day 2018 on Sept 15 and the 55th anniversary of Malaysia Day on Sept 16 and International Year of the Reefs (IYOR) 2018.

The programme spearheaded by the Malaysian Nature Society, Miri branch is organised in collaboration with the Miri City Council (MCC) and its Local Agenda L21 Section, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, Coco Cabana Miri, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Chapters of Riam, Miri and Lutong and the Sarawak Northern Journalists Association (NSJA).

Organising chairman Iqbal Abdollah said the competition is divided into three categories and open to primary, secondary schools and institutions of higher learning.

“In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through this competition, we hoped to inculcate and nurture among students in Miri innovative invention culture using recycled items obtained from beaches in Miri,” said Iqbal Thursday at a joint press conference with Miri City mayor Adam Yii.

Also present were councillors and representatives of collaborators including NSJA president Andy Jong, JCI Miri Zone Petrus Young and LA21 officer Dayang Siti Nurbaya Awang Kipli.

Iqbal who is also MNS Miri chairman said the innovations should be based on the competition’s theme ‘Wonders of Sarawak’ – that is building replicas of Sarawak landmarks from the trash collected from any of the 16 beaches in Miri stretching for 172 km from Tanjung Pinang to Sungai Tujuh.

The champion in each of the three categories will receive RM500, second and third placing will respectively receive RM300 and RM200 in addition to trophies and certificate of participation. There will be five consolation prizes of RM100 each.

Participants too stand a chance to win two special prizes – RM250 cash and certificates for Environmental Sustainability MNS Miri and RM200 (sponsored by MNS branch chairman) under Public Jury Award.

The competition is free of charge but participants have to bear the cost of their own materials.

Entry forms and further details are obtainable from Miri LA21, MCC, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Miri and NSJA.The closing date is Sept 7 and the prize-giving ceremony will be on Sept 16.