Rain, Mud and Fun at Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus!

By, Dr. Adibah Amir

Rain? What rain. Not even a bursting morning downpour could stop the energy at Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus (KBSB), as EcoKnights and Deloitte Malaysia brought together nearly 100 young, active interns for a community engagement mission that turned into an eco-adventure. The event held on Monday, 24th October 2025, took place at one of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic urban gardens, Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus, a living example of community-driven sustainability.

This vibrant space has recently gained national recognition for its impact. In conjunction with the World Earth Day Celebration 2025, KBSB was honoured with the Merit Award for Malaysia Scroll of Honour presented by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Tuan Nga Kor Ming acknowledging its outstanding contribution to urban environmental stewardship.

KBSB’s accolades didn’t stop there. During the KL Park Festival 2025, the garden proudly received a 5-Star Achievement Award under the Anugerah Kebun Bandar initiative by DBKL’s Local Action 21 Unit, presented by Kuala Lumpur Mayor, Dato’ Seri TPr. Dr. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, solidifying its status as one of the leading community gardens in the city.

Adding to its growing prestige, KBSB was also recognised with a Special Jury Award as an Eco-Edu Urban Garden. This award highlighted its unique niche in urban stingless bee farming, a specialty strengthened through the involvement of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as one of KBSB’s key stakeholders. With its innovative approach to integrating environmental education, biodiversity support, and sustainable agriculture, KBSB continues to set the benchmark for urban green spaces in Malaysia.

Then came the interns, and the rain.

Armed with gloves, rakes, and unstoppable spirit, the interns marched into the urban farm ready to transform the space, and transform they did. While the ground turned soft and muddy, the team powered through, plucking weeds, planting flowers, and cutting down old, overgrown trunks to make way for fresh growth.

Laughter mixed with raindrops. Mud splashed. The smell of wet soil filled the air.

And the garden? It grew livelier by the hour.

Despite the weather’s attempts to dampen the day, the interns’ motivation soared, and many were surprised by just how much they enjoyed the experience. Not every day do you see corporate interns splashing through puddles in the name of ESG. Yet here they were, fully committed and fully energised.

ESG is the acronym for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and each element was clearly reflected throughout the programme. This initiative became a refreshing approach for how corporations can channel ESG values into meaningful, hands-on CSR work that addresses urban heat, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

This collaboration between Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus, EcoKnights, and Deloitte demonstrates the real impact of ESG in action, hands-on, inclusive, and purpose-driven. The programme directly supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities through revitalising urban green spaces
SDG 13: Climate Action by promoting nature-based solutions
SDG 15: Life on Land through biodiversity-friendly planting
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by uniting community, NGO, and industry

More than just a volunteering session, it was a chance for young people to reconnect with nature, contribute to the community, and leave Kebun Bandar Sungai Bunus greener than they found it.

By the end of the day, the rain had eased, but the smiles hadn’t.***

Dr. Adibah Bt. Amir is an Assistant Professor from the Department of Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia.***