Sustain-A-Ripple: Mudball River Revival – Creating Splashes of Lasting Impact
On 28 September 2024, Sungai Air Hitam at Kampung Dato Abu Bakar Baginda, along with PETRONAS Leadership Centre (PLC), simultaneously became the hearts of a collective effort to contribute to river health. In celebration of World Rivers Day, the Sustain-A-Ripple: Mudball River Revival event brought together volunteers, students, and local organisations to make a splash—quite literally!
With sustainability as one of PLC’s core pillars, this event, part of the Sustain-A-Ripple initiative launched in March 2024, was more than just talk; it was about action. This initiative doesn’t just focus on sustainability within PLC, but also intended to extend its efforts to the surrounding community.
On the day of the event, two groups set off in different locations, yet both were united in their mission to improve the health of Sungai Air Hitam and the PLC lake. Equipped with gloves, smiles, and a shared sense of purpose, participants tossed over 2,500 EM (Effective Microorganism) mudballs into the water, each one acting as a small but powerful tool to restore the health of these water bodies.
Wondering how a simple mudball could impact river health? The fact is that these were not just ordinary dirt clumps. They were made from a unique concoction of microorganisms, soil, husk, brown sugar, and rainwater, ingredients that work together to break down pollutants. The microbes within the mudballs digest harmful substances, contributing to a cleaner, healthier river over time.
At PLC, students from SMK Dato Abu Bakar Baginda, SMKA Maahad Hamidiah, and Institut Penilaian Negara (INSPEN), as well as PLC staff and their children, didn’t just learn about facts on mudballs, they also rolled up their sleeves and made their own mudballs. Over 600 of these “little environmental warriors” were made for future river revival.
Meanwhile, at Sungai Air Hitam, volunteers from neighbouring organisations and local authorities, such as TNB Integrated Learning Solution (ILSAS), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Majlis Perbandaran Sepang (MPS), Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran Sepang (JPS Sepang), Institut Semarak Felda (ISEF), and the Department of Environment Sepang (DOE Sepang), joined the effort. Together with PLC staff and the villagers of Kampung Dato Abu Bakar Baginda, the day was spent cleaning the river, plogging—picking up litter while jogging, and tossing the EM mudballs into the river and retention pond. Beyond the physical act of cleaning the river, the event also aimed to foster a sense of community, uniting people from all walks of life for a common cause.
While the mudballs were working their magic, there was also a big focus on learning and raising awareness on sustainable practices. EcoCare, the environmental experts behind the EM mudballs, gave participants a deep dive into how these tiny balls help clean our waterways. Additionally, our friends from PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad shared some lesser-known facts about the benefits of used cooking oil and how to manage it responsibly, proving that sustainable practice is all about the small things that add up to big change.
It wasn’t all work and no play. The atmosphere was filled with energy as participants connected with nature and each other. The event turned into a day of bonding, not just within the walls of PLC, but with the wider community—a chance to get a little muddy and have fun while making a meaningful difference.
This Sustain-A-Ripple: Mudball River Revival may have been just one event, but it is a small step towards lasting impact through collective actions. Whether you are a student, a teacher or a commoner, everyone had a role to play. PLC believes that every tossed mudball, every piece of trash collected, created ripples that will continue to spread.
#SmallActsBigImpact #SustainablyPLC