Terengganu: The coal spill that affected Pantai Teluk Kalong after a barge drifted ashore and broke apart last week is set to be cleaned up within a month. Terengganu Department of Environment (DOE) director Hamzah Mohamad confirmed that immediate clean-up efforts will be undertaken to restore the beach to its original state. Representatives from the barge company have agreed to manage the clean-up process.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hamzah stated that the company is in the process of appointing a qualified contractor for the task. He provided this information during a meeting with those responsible for the incident, alongside state Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris.

Hamzah mentioned that while the beach clean-up is expected to be completed within a month, the removal of the barge will take more time due to the operation's complexity. The barge, which was transporting coal from Indonesia to Vietnam, ran aground due to strong winds.

Razali expressed the state government's hope for a swift clean-up, emphasizing that Pantai Teluk Kalong is a well-frequented tourist spot. He assured that the situation poses no environmental threat, as the coal involved is not classified as scheduled waste. The state government will continue to monitor the clean-up to ensure the beach is fully restored.