Communities clean up KL river

A total of 334kg of rubbish were collected during the clean-up.

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.