Communities clean up KL river
They learn to protect, restore Sungai Gombak
Over 220 participants convened along the banks of Sungai Gombak to celebrate 'Hari Sungai Gombak' (Gombak River Day), held in conjunction with World Environment Day.
Themed 'Rivers We Share, Together We Care', the event transformed the historical Kampung Padang Balang ― one of Kuala Lumpur's oldest Malay settlements – into a vibrant hub of action, education and unity.
The day began with a fun run through the village, followed by the opening ceremony.
It was attended by Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Environment Department (Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur) (DOE-WPKL) director Zuraini Ahmad Tajudin, Haleon Kuala Lumpur site director Alastair Reed, non-governmental organisation Pewaris chairman Rosden Mohd Yassin and Setapak police station chief Insp Hasbuhullah Muda.
The event was symbolically launched with a collective mud ball toss, underscoring the shared responsibility of environmental care.
Inspired by the proactive spirit of the village community, individuals were encouraged to become River Rangers – citizens who take ownership of their environment, educate others and advocate against harmful practices such as littering and chemical dumping.
The initiative was led by Haleon, a healthcare solutions company, with active participation from both its manufacturing and commercial teams.
One of the activities at the event is making mud balls.
In partnership with DOE-WPKL and Kampung Padang Balang Pewaris as well as with support from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the event brought together diverse stakeholders to protect and restore one of the city's vital waterways.
'As a global leader in consumer health, Haleon is committed to delivering better everyday health with humanity.
'Our purpose extends beyond our products – it's about making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve and the environment we all share.
'This event reflects our commitment to water stewardship and our dedication to preserving Sungai Gombak, a river that plays a crucial role in our local ecosystem.
'Through this initiative, we aim to spark awareness, dialogue and action that will protect this vital resource for generations to come,' said Reed.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in a wide range of hands-on activities, including riverbank cleanups, recycling drives and educational workshops.
A total of 334kg of rubbish was collected and sorted, while DOE-WPKL's e-waste and used cooking oil drive gathered 150kg of electronic waste and 100kg of oil, promoting responsible disposal practices.
There were hands-on activities, including riverbank cleanups, recycling drives and educational workshops.
Children and adults took part in activities such as the Water Amazing Race, water-filter workshops, colouring contests and logo design challenges.
Students from SK La Salle led a mud ball-making demonstration, showcasing eco-friendly techniques to naturally improve river water quality and inspire sustainable habits.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Balancing BM and English
Maryam: By continuing to speak Malay, even as the world changes, we help keep a part of our identity alive. IN kindergarten, I was surrounded by adults who mostly spoke Malay. My only exposure to English was through television, so it was no surprise that I was much better at Malay. Things changed in primary school when I enrolled in an international school. The medium of instruction was English, and I interacted with people from diverse backgrounds. Over time, my Bahasa Malaysia skills weakened, as I hardly used it at school or at home. I was even placed with second-language learners of Malay. To say I was satisfied would be a lie – I wanted to be fluent in my mother tongue but struggled, especially with imbuhan (prefixes and suffixes). Still, I pushed myself to be the best in class, although that wasn't hard since my classmates had limited knowledge of the language. When Covid-19 hit and we went into lockdown, I saw it as the perfect chance to brush up on my Malay. I started speaking more with my parents and friends during online hangouts. I was determined, and eventually, I moved up to the first-language Malay class in school, which was a big step, but one I was ready for. These days, although the community I am in mostly speaks English, I cherish the moments when I get to use Malay – like when buying from stalls run by neneks and atoks who aren't fluent in English. Some are genuinely surprised that I can speak Malay beyond basic phrases, unlike other youngsters they have encountered. It is in those moments that I feel proud I didn't give up on my roots. It is important to stay connected to our heritage. For me, that simply means continuing to speak Malay. By doing so, even as the world changes, we help keep a part of our identity alive. So maybe it is time you picked up a Malay book or newspaper, took small steps and showed the world who Malaysians are – a people who can connect globally through English, the lingua franca, while preserving our national language and identity with pride. Maryam, 17, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
NST visit inspires young writer, thanks to two editors' kindness
VISITING the New Straits Times (NST) office for the first time remains one of my most vivid and cherished memories. It was a day when curiosity and determination led me to the man behind the "Letters to the Editor" column, to which I regularly contributed. That meeting would go on to deeply inspire my writing journey. I parked my motorcycle beside Balai Berita, the building that housed the NST. The entrance was modest but carried an air of history and importance. Upon entering, I was greeted by a receptionist whose warm smile immediately put me at ease. I told her I was there to deliver a letter to the editor of the "Letters to the Editor"; she told me to look for Zainon Ahmad, affectionately known as Pak Non. She said that his office was next to the editorial team and told me to take the lift to the third floor. The lift's wooden panels gleamed under soft lighting, exuding a classic, almost nostalgic charm. The gentle hum of the machinery was accompanied by the faint scent of aged wood and polish, a reminder that this building had witnessed decades of journalistic history. Stepping out into the third floor, I was immediately enveloped by the vibrant energy of the newsroom. The editorial room was vast and alive with activity. Journalists sat at their desks, some typing furiously on computers, others tapping away on typewriters, the clatter blending with bursts of laughter and animated conversations in corners. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint rustle of newspapers and the occasional ring of telephones. It was about 5.30pm, the most intense hour for the editorial team, yet the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. I approached a man who was focusing on his computer screen, and asked for Zainon's office. He pointed towards a room with a wooden panelling and a glass window that allowed one to see inside. Looking through, I saw a man. He had neatly combed hair, slicked back with hair cream, a goatee that framed his face and an untrimmed moustache. His thick, black-framed spectacles sat low on his nose, giving him an air of scholarly seriousness mixed with approachability. As I introduced myself, his eyes widened in surprise. "I thought R.K. Ravindran was a retired old man," he said, laughing heartily. "My God, you're so young to be writing letters!" That warm, genuine laughter broke the ice instantly. I told him about my involvement with the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia and my passion for writing. Then, almost playfully, he asked if I could speak Tamil. When I said yes, he began speaking fluent Tamil, and I was completely taken aback — a Malay man conversing effortlessly in another language! It turned out he was from Kedah, just like me, and had grown up in the estates. That shared background created an instant bond between us. Our conversation flowed easily for about 15 minutes. I took the opportunity to ask why my letter about the Bukit Jalil estate had not been published despite sending it three times. I handed him a copy, and after reading it quickly, he explained candidly: "The estate has some of our regular advertisers who bought parts of the land, so it's a sensitive issue." He suggested I speak to his boss, who was in a room nearby. I thanked Pak Non profusely for publishing all my other letters without fail and made my way to his superior. The woman at the door greeted me warmly, asking the purpose of my visit. When I mentioned Pak Non's referral, she opened the door to a man seated inside. He was handsome, wearing a crisp white shirt and tie, with spectacles perched precariously on his nose. He looked up and asked for my name. After reading my letter in a few seconds, he asked what I wanted him to do. I explained the dire condition of the estate and my hope that the letter could be published to raise awareness. He made no promises, but assured me that he would try. We shook hands and I left. That was P.C. Shivadas. Walking back through the editorial room, I was struck by the sense of purpose and camaraderie among the staff. Though I didn't know anyone else then, I felt a deep connection to this place — the very newspaper I had grown up reading. To my surprise and delight, within three days, my letter was published prominently. I called Zainon and Shivadas to thank them. Their support and encouragement made me feel valued and inspired me to continue writing. Pak Non remained a close friend until his passing. He was a man who loved his teh tarik at the Hilton Petaling Jaya and carried a gentle spirit beneath his sharp journalistic mind. Shivadas, too, remains a legend in my life, embodying patience, love and care. Looking back, those moments at the NST office were more than just visits: they were life-changing encounters with two great stalwarts of Malaysian journalism. They weren't just editors, they were also mentors who inspired me to cherish the beauty of our world, our people and the power of the written word to make a difference. Their kindness and integrity left an indelible mark on me and my writing. Stepping into the NST newsroom was more than just entering a building — I had stepped into a world where truth, passion and humanity converged, shaping not only a newspaper but also the lives of those it touched. I am one of them. Although Pak Non has since passed, and Shivadas has left the NST, I offer my salute and deepest thanks to both of them.
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
DOE ramps up haze battle
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Environment (DOE) has stepped up enforcement and surveillance at open burning hotspots to tackle the haze, says its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar (pic). As of July 30, a total of 4,247 patrols and 859 aerial surveillance missions using drones had been carried out. Wan Abdul Latiff said the DOE monitors the air pollution index hourly from its environmental data centre in Putrajaya via 68 surveillance stations nationwide. 'We need to give serious attention to the haze as it can impact the health of the people,' he said in a media engagement session here yesterday. He added that 27 offenders had charged in court, while 59 compound notices were issued to other parties since January. The DOE had also extinguished fires with the assistance of 13 agencies under a joint initiative. Wan Abdul Latiff said Malaysia is also working closely with neighbouring countries under the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution to prevent and mitigate forest and peat fires. 'Through this platform, Malaysia has proposed initiatives for neighbouring countries to adopt, in order to eradicate open burning that may cause or worsen haze in the region,' he said. On the issue of e-waste, Wan Abdul Latiff said the increasing use of electronic devices has led to a corresponding rise in e-waste. Between January 2021 and June 2025, more than 536,709 tonnes of e-waste were recycled by DOE-approved companies. Among the DOE's e-waste management initiatives is the expansion of e-waste collection centres, currently numbering 128 premises nationwide. Other efforts include increased enforcement against illegal e-waste recycling companies through the department's Ops Hazard, as well as public awareness campaigns on safe disposal practices. 'If e-waste is not properly managed and is indiscriminately disposed of, it can pose serious risks to daily life, particularly due to its hazardous effects on health and the environment,' he said. The DOE also revealed that 88% of illegal e-waste originated from the United States. Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom accounted for 2% each. Since 2015, up to 660 shipments of e-waste have been ordered to be returned to their countries of origin. Separately, Wan Abdul Latiff said shortage of manpower continues to pose a major challenge to the enforcement of environmental laws. He said that while the ideal workforce strength is at least 4,100 staff members, the DOE is currently operating at only about 25% capacity, at 1,113 personnel.
