KOTA KINABALU: Visiting personnel from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) amphibious assault ship on a rest and recreational stop used their time here to clean-up Likas Bay beach.

The two-hour gotong-royong was conducted together with staff of Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

Their ship was berthed at the Sepanggar port

The ship’s senior chaplain, Commander Curtis Price who led a team of about 40 sailors and marines in the clean-up, said they felt happy and excited to be on land after more than a month at sea.

“We are glad to be here in beautiful (though hot and humid) Kota Kinabalu.

“The beach was clean and there was not much rubbish to clear,

“It is great to see the people here taking care of their environment,” Price said after the gotong-royong on Tuesday morning.

City Hall deputy director-general of Operations Joannes Solidau said the beach was relatively clean.

“Normally during rainy seasons, the beach would be dirtier as rubbish from nearby villages would eventually be washed up here,” he said.

Joannes commended the visitors for their civic mindedness and hoped the locals would have regular gotong-royong on their own.

“They should also help to keep their surroundings clean,” he said.-thestar