Kuching South will turn ‘Trash to Hope' at World Environment Day event tomorrow
KUCHING (June 13): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will celebrate World Environment Day tomorrow with sustainability-focused activities and community programmes.
The event themed 'Trash to Hope' will take place at Dewan Masyarakat MBKS, Jalan Padungan from 9am to 12pm.
Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the event's theme reflects a collective aspiration to transform waste into meaningful resources through community-driven efforts.
'It is all about cultivating a mindset shift from seeing the waste as a problem to recognising its potential as a solution,' he told a press conference today.
'We always believe building a cleaner and greener future requires the participation of all of us, from young children to senior citizens, from households to businesses.'
Among the highlights is the 'Bank Sampah Programme' recycling initiative, which includes the collection of electronic waste, used cooking oil, and other recyclable materials under MBKS' ongoing buyback programme.
The Kuching Natural Farmers Market will also take part, bringing together 31 stalls offering farm-fresh produce, handmade eco-friendly products, and natural goods.
Wee noted that the market, which initially began with fewer than 20 vendors, now features between 40 and 50 stalls and is held on the first and third Saturdays of every month.
The celebration will also involve a donation drive in support of Kuching Food Aid Donation, where the public can contribute basic necessities to assist underprivileged communities in need.
Soka Gakkai Malaysia (Sarawak branch) will also showcase its biennial 'Run for Peace' programme by introducing the concept of eco bricks.
Visitors will be able to learn how to make eco bricks using recycled plastic and contribute to the construction of an eight-by-22-foot peace sculpture to be displayed at MBKS.
There will also be the Eco Grand Fashion Face-Off, a creative fashion competition for children aged four to 12, organised by the MBKS Child Council as part of the council's ongoing involvement in the Unicef00 Child-Friendly City Initiative.
The competition aims to promote environmental awareness through upcycled fashion, with cash prizes and certificates to be awarded to winners in two age categories.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian is expected to officiate at the event. lead MBKS wee hong seng World Environment Day
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Kuching's Hui Sing Park to get RM1.5 mln community centre
Wee (left) gestures at a scale model of the proposed community centre at Hui Sing Park while Tay (right), Zaiedi (second left) and others look on. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 21): A new single-storey community centre is set to be built at Hui Sing Park here as part of the Kuching South City Council's ongoing efforts to create a healthier, more inclusive urban environment. Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said construction work for the RM1.5 million project will begin today (July 21), with a targeted completion by January 20, 2026. 'This project marks another milestone in our commitment to creating a healthier, more liveable, and more inclusive urban environment for all residents, under our strategic urban rejuvenation masterplan known as 'Towards a Healthy City'. 'Under this masterplan, our aim is to ensure that all generations, young and old can enjoy an improved quality of life through better infrastructure, stronger community engagement, and connected public spaces,' he told a press conference at the park. Wee (second left) hands over the project to Ting while witnessed by Zaiedi (left), Tay (second right) and others. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad He pointed out that Hui Sing Park has long been one of the most cherished green spaces within Kuching South where families, children, senior citizens, and fitness enthusiasts use it daily, not only for leisure and recreation but also as a social gathering place. 'However, in listening to the feedback of our community, we realise that there is a pressing need for a sheltered and functional facility within the park to support various activities, events, and gatherings, especially during inclement weather or under the hot sun. 'This led us to propose the construction of a community centre and a roofed terrace right here in Hui Sing Park.' He said the community centre will provide a safe and inclusive space for the elderly, children and families. 'The building will serve as a venue for community programmes, health and wellness activities, workshops, and cultural events. 'The adjacent roofed terrace will offer a shaded area that allows people to continue using the park comfortably, regardless of the weather,' he said. The scale model of the RM1.5 million proposed community centre at Hui Sing Park. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad Wee assured park users that the construction will not disrupt their daily routines. 'There will be some inconvenience during the construction period, but the park users can continue to exercise here.' He also said that with the new community centre in place, the jogging route will be extended as well. 'We will not shorten the existing route that people have been using for their exercise. In fact, this route will be longer,' he said. The public is also encouraged to share feedback during the project's implementation. 'We will put up contact numbers so that the public can reach out with constructive suggestions. 'We will follow up because this facility is being built for everyone,' he said, adding that MBKS hopes to see the project completed ahead of schedule to avoid delays during the year-end rainy season. The scale model of the RM1.5 million proposed community centre at Hui Sing Park. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad PDC Design Group Sdn Bhd and INTODESIGN Lab design director Tay Tze Yong, in sharing details about the environmentally sensitive design approach taken for the project, said the community centre will take up only about 2.5 per cent of the overall park area so as to ensure minimal land use while preserving public space for recreation. 'In designing the centre, we tried our best not to cut down any trees. Only one small palm tree will be removed. The rest of the trees will be retained where larger trees will be incorporated within the courtyard of the centre,' he explained. He said that among the proposed components for the centre include a small, air-conditioned library for children, a semi-outdoor sheltered space for the elderly, a covered area for Tai Chi practitioners, as well as a dedicate space for table tennis where the table has already been included in the project cost. Wee later handed over the project to contractor Cottage Holdings Sdn Bhd which was received on behalf by the company representative Amanda Ting. Also present was Kuching South deputy mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili. Hui Sing Park Kuching South City Council lead Wee Hong Seng
Barnama
15-07-2025
- Barnama
IOI Properties, Marriott Team Up For Community Green Initiative
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- In conjunction with World Environment Day, IOI Properties Group Berhd (IOIGP) has partnered up with Marriott International and the Marriott Worldwide Business Council in Malaysia to organise a community tree planting event at 16 Sierra, Puchong South, Selangor. In a statement today, IOIPG said that over 100 participants, including IOIPG employees, residents of 16 Sierra, and staff from Le Méridien Petaling Jaya and 24 Marriott International hotels, took part in the event last Saturday. Trees were planted at eight locations across the 535-acre township. 'Once matured, these trees will benefit the community by reducing air pollution, contributing to carbon sequestration, and providing shade for walkways, which helps to mitigate the effects of urban heat,' the group said in a statement. 16 Sierra general manager Calvin Sew said the initiative aligns with the developer's IOI Sustain Roadmap 2030, which aims to enhance the township's environmental ecosystem and improve community well-being. It also reflects the long-term commitment of both IOI Properties and Marriott International to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles. As part of its sustainability efforts, IOIPG has introduced several eco-friendly features in 16 Sierra, including a firefly habitat at The Tribe Glamping and a dry creek system at Central Park designed to support the natural ecosystem. 'We also have plans to create an eco-corridor to connect green spaces throughout the township, along with a 60.5-acre certified green district focused on renewable energy, water management, environmental planning, green buildings, and sustainable transport,' Sew added. To further promote biodiversity, rare and threatened tree species listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, such as Aquilaria malaccensis (Gaharu) and Mangifera caesia (Binjai), were among those planted during the event. The initiative also supports several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Meanwhile, Christopher Moore, Sustainability Chair of the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils Malaysia and General Manager of Le Méridien Petaling Jaya, said they were proud to collaborate with IOIPG on the initiative. He emphasised that the partnership supports Marriott International's sustainability goals and its efforts to reduce global carbon emissions.
Borneo Post
13-07-2025
- Borneo Post
ASEZ holds plastic-free campaign, cleanup at Metrocity Square
More than a ton of plastic waste and other solid waste was collected in two hours. KUCHING (July 13): Plastic waste is a silent threat, with over 400 million tonnes generated globally each year, leading to various issues such as environmental pollution and adverse impacts on human health. In response, international volunteer group ASEZ held its Plastic-Free 2040 Campaign and a cleanup activity at the grounds of Metrocity Square here today. The event saw the participation of around 300 students from three local higher learning institutions namely Sidma College Sarawak, Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs), and Yahos School of Skills. In just two hours, from 8am to 10am, the participants successfully collected 1,253.21kg of plastic waste and other solid waste, which was disposed of professionally with the assistance of waste management company Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd. ASEZ Sarawak manager Steven Kwon explained that the programme was part of the global initiative of ASEZ, which is an international student volunteer movement from over 175 countries dedicated to environmental protection through education, volunteerism, and community cooperation. 'The Plastic-Free 2040 Campaign is one of ASEZ's core programmes worldwide. 'Our goal is to help communities reduce their dependence on plastic and to educate them about waste segregation and recycling habits,' he said when met during the programme. According to him, in addition to collecting waste, participants were also taught how to properly segregate plastics, paper, and other waste materials, which is an important step in changing public attitudes towards daily waste management. John presents a certificate to a representative of the participants while Kwon (left) looks on. 'We believe youth are the catalyst for change. By demonstrating proper waste disposal, initiating recycling habits, and fostering a sense of responsibility for their surroundings, we are building a more sustainable future,' said Kwon, who is originally from South Korea and currently based in Malaysia as a full-time volunteer. The programme also received full support from the Department of Environment (DOE) Sarawak, which described the collaboration between higher education institutions and international organisations as exemplary. 'For us, this activity proves that awareness of plastic pollution is no longer just rhetoric. 'It is now being translated into concrete action by the younger generation,' said DOE Sarawak director John Rampai. He noted that student involvement represents a long-term investment in environmental sustainability, as they will one day become leaders and policymakers. Participants collect plastic waste and other rubbish to be disposed of professionally. He also said that the efforts demonstrated by ASEZ and its partners were in line with the 2024 World Environment Day theme, Beat Plastic Pollution. 'We deeply appreciate this initiative and hope it becomes a model for other institutions. 'Plastic waste not only pollutes land and water but also kills marine life and ultimately affects human health,' he said. John explained that plastic is a material that is difficult to decompose and can remain in the ecosystem for hundreds of years. 'A clear example is fish with damaged gills, turtles pierced by plastic straws, or those that swallow plastic bags mistaking them for jellyfish. Microplastics are now even found in the human food chain,' he said. Participants in a group photo before the clean-up activity. He said DOE has already taken steps to reduce single-use plastics and is running awareness campaigns with both industry players and communities. For the organisers, collecting over a tonne of waste in a short time is a major achievement, but more importantly, it marks the beginning of a shift in attitudes. 'We can't expect drastic changes overnight. But with continuous education and grassroots community involvement, we can achieve zero plastic by 2040,' Kwon added. He also expressed gratitude to Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Metrocity, Trienekens, and all participating institutions for their support in what he described as the beginning of more future collaborations. ASEZ cleanup environment higher learning institution lead plastic waste
