IIUM engineering students participate in ‘Jom Bersih Bukit Bintang 22’ community clean-up programme

By, Adibah Amir

On 26 October 2024, nearly 1,000 participants, including 35 engineering students from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), gathered at Plaza Low Yat for the 22nd Gotong Royong Jom Bersih Bukit Bintang clean-up event. This biannual initiative, has been led by Jawatankuasa Persekitaran Bukit Bintang Central under the Local Agenda 21 Kuala Lumpur by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)  since 2012. It aims to foster a “Ceria, Bersih & Indah” (Cheerful, Clean and Beautiful) environment.

The event was officiated by Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Seri TPr (Dr.) Maimunah binti Mohd Sharif alongside the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Federal Territories and other key stakeholders, included representatives from Plaza Low Yat, The Federal Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Capitol Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Indah Water Consortium Sdn Bhd, Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, and SWCorp Malaysia, among others.

Support came from various educational institutions, including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaya (UM), MAHSA University, University Geomatika Malaysia, and a few local schools. This strong collaboration exemplified community engagement and environmental stewardship, significantly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, which focuses on creating Sustainable Cities and Communities.

During the event, the Mayor encouraged the public to adopt positive attitudes towards recycling, emphasizing that such changes are essential for making Kuala Lumpur a plastic-free city. She expressed her aspiration for the capital to be recognized as one of the cleanest cities in the region and hoped that public commitment would bolster local authorities’ initiatives to combat flash floods.

IIUM engineering students participated as part of their community service project, focusing on designing strategies to enhance community resilience against flash floods. An important aspect of their project involved observing public awareness levels and readiness to embark on such initiatives. For many students, this hands-on exposure made them realize that designing a mitigation plan using their engineering knowledge is not sufficient without going to the ground and meeting the people to understand their needs and concerns.

They have developed an increased appreciation for collaborating with local governments to incorporate proposed solutions into urban planning and policy frameworks, ensuring long-term sustainability. Furthermore, they have recognized the importance of promoting community involvement, enhancing urban aesthetics, and contributing to overall climate resilience in the city.

A key takeaway from this program is the significance of educating community members about the benefits and maintenance of green infrastructure, encouraging their active participation and proactive initiatives to foster a more sustainable urban environment.

The Mayor presented an appreciation certificate to Dr Adibah Amir.

Dr. Adibah with IIUM students

(Dr. Adibah Amin is an academic in the Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia.)