KUALA TERENGGANU, 7 Aug 2020:
Several improvements will be made to avoid damage to the scenic beauty of Pulau Kapas with the recent influx in tourist arrivals.
State Tourism, Culture and Information Technology Committee chairman Ariffin Deraman said among others, more rubbish bins would be placed, as well as signage boards put up to remind the public on the need to help maintain cleanliness on the island.
“The state government is aware that the number of visitors, particularly those who took the day trip packages, has increased significantly to over 100% since July,” he said when contacted.
“This is beyond our expectation and has exceeded the carrying capacity of the island, raising the concern of many quarters on issues such as garbage dumping, coral reefs destruction and damage to the island’s natural beauty.”
Of late, many quarters, especially nature lovers, are calling the Terengganu government to take necessary measures to address the problems of garbage dumping on the island as it caused damage to the coral reefs.
Netizens also expressed their concern on the influx of tourist arrivals on Pulau Kapas. They are worried this could spoil the beauty of the island.
In thanking the netizens for their ideas and constructive criticism, Ariffin said the state government had no plan to restrict the arrival of tourists on the island.
Instead, efforts would be made to improve and provide more infrastructure facilities on Pulau Kapas, he added.
He said the Marang district office and the Marang district council were conducting a detailed study to ensure the influx of tourists does not harm the island.
“Several measures have also been taken, including by the Marine Parks Department , which is monitoring to ensure that boats bringing passengers on day trip packages to the island do not operate earlier than 8am.”
Pulau Kapas is popular among tourists because of its close distance from the mainland, which is about 15 minutes boat ride, compared to other resort islands, which take between 30 to 45 minutes.
Although it is closer to the mainland, the beauty of its coral reefs is just like at other resort islands in Terengganu with its marine creatures such as the colourful ‘Nemo’ clownfish and turtles.
Another reason is the island offers affordable tour packages, especially the day trip package which is suitable for family picnics or with friends.
Based on records, about 42,000 tourists visited the island every month since the Recovery Movement Control Order.
Meanwhile, Marang district officer Tun Ahmad Faisal Tun Abdul Razak said more mega gotong-royong activities and cleanliness campaigns will be conducted on the island.
“We hold gotong-royong activities frequently in Pulau Kapas, and it will be intensified with the participation of the local community and tourists to instil the sense of responsibility in maintaining the island’s cleanliness,” he said, adding that a new public toilet was also being built on the island.
In KUANTAN, effective today, the number of visitors to Teluk Cempedak beach is limited to 1,000 people at any one time on weekends to ensure public compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) on physical distancing.
Kuantan district police chief ACP Mohamad Noor Yusof Ali said the implementation of the new SOP will take effect from 10am to 10pm on Friday to Sunday, with each visitor is required to take a visitor’s card at any of the three entry points to the popular beach.
“There is no time limit set for each visitor, but if the number of visitors exceeded the limit, then we will divert the vehicles that wish to enter the Teluk Cempedak area to other places except for those who want to use the drive-through service at the fast-food restaurants there.
“Workers, hawkers, and shop owners in Teluk Cempedak need not take the visitor’s card, but they will be required to show their employee cards or confirmation letters from their employers at the entrance,” he said in a statement today.
Mohamad Nor said the three entry points are at the Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) parking area, the private parking area, and between the two fast-food restaurants, McDonald’s and KFC.
He said visitors are also compelled to check-in using the MySejahtera application or manual registration as well as adhering to the SOP, which includes having their body temperature checked, wearing face masks, and maintaining physical distancing while around the beach area.
To ensure the smooth implementation of the SOP, he said the police, MPK, RELA, and the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM) personnel would be stationed at the entry points and around Teluk Cempedak.
Mohamad Noor said the move to limit the number of visitors at the beach was deemed necessary after police inspection found up to 2,000 people had flocked to the beach last Saturday, causing quite a congestion to the area.
The police then suggested for the new SOP implementation to the MPK and Pahang state government, which was agreed by all parties.
– Bernama