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Thousands join nationwide plogging initiative

Kelantan DOE intensifies enforcement against pollution

Plantation owners welcome campaign to stabilise prices JOHOR BAHRU: Pineapple growers say the “Buy Malaysian Goods” campaign themed Jom Beli Lokal (Let’s Buy Local), could help stabilise market prices and ensure steady demand for local agricultural produce. Samarahan, Sarawak, pineapple grower Mohd Nasry Mohd Nasir, 38, said the initiative also promises stronger market assurance for farmers, provided consumers continue to support local products. He added that the campaign would encourage greater demand for the various local pineapple varieties. “This initiative is very good overall. It helps boost farmers’ income while highlighting the quality of our pineapples, which are on par with those from overseas,” he told Bernama when met at the International Pineapple Industry Seminar on Saturday. Nasry, who has managed his family’s pineapple farm for the past three years on over 100 acres, added that the campaign could also reduce reliance on middlemen if implemented over the long term. “In Sarawak, for example, the Moris pineapple variety is relatively cheaper, with market prices at about RM10 for three fruits, but when sold to middlemen, the price drops to about RM2.50 each. “Some middlemen resell them at RM10 for just two fruits, so this campaign may help reduce our dependence on them and allow buyers to purchase directly from us at better prices,” he said. Meanwhile, Johor-based pineapple grower Mohd Zulafiq Nordin, 38, believes the initiative could open broader market access for small and medium-scale farmers, including supermarkets and online sales platforms. He said it would also help increase sales of lower-grade pineapples that are still of good quality. He added that for projects subjected to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a total of 78 field enforcement visits were conducted, with 15 follow-up actions taken against projects that failed to comply with EIA approval conditions. JELI: The Kelantan Department of Environment (DOE) has conducted 183 enforcement visits to factories across the state this year, resulting in the issuance of 13 compound for environmental violations. Its director Wan Aminordin Wan Kamarudin said enforcement was also carried out on mobile pollution sources, such as motor vehicles, with 16 operations conducted and 18 investigation papers opened. “Kelantan DOE also received 128 complaints related to environmental pollution, which led to nine compounds being issued against offenders,” he told Bernama. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 4Xplore Teroka Alam: Legasi Di Bumi Kita event in conjunction with the state-level World Environment Day celebration at Gunung Reng. Wan Aminordin said the department has intensified efforts to monitor and enforce regulations on various pollution sources in the state.

o Tzu Chi Malaysia 30th anniversary event sees over 8,000 participants unite to pick up litter and promote environmental care

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: In a powerful display of environmental consciousness, thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life came together yesterday for a nationwide plogging event, held in celebration of Tzu Chi Malaysia’s 30th anniversary of environmental advocacy. The event, held under the banner of the “Go Green, Go Plogging” campaign, combined exercise with environmental care. Plogging refers to jogging while picking up litter, turning an ordinary workout into a community activity. Spanning more than 50 locations across the Klang Valley, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak, the campaign marked the largest plogging initiative ever organised by Tzu Chi Malaysia. Nationwide, more than 8,000 participants took part, collecting rubbish while walking or jogging to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and civic responsibility. The main venue at the Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall in Kepong saw about 1,000 participants, including representatives from GLCs, private corporations, NGOs and media organisations. Berjaya Corporation founder and Tzu Chi commissioner Tan Sri Vincent Tan, who took part in the clean-up, commended the initiative and called for more regular community involvement. “This is a very good event and I think it should be done more often, ideally once a week in different parts of the city. “It shouldn’t be organised by Tzu Chi alone. Every group, religious, civic or corporate, should get involved. “If 52 organisations each hosted one clean-up a year, we would have a cleaner Kuala Lumpur every week,” he said after the event. Tan also voiced concern over the large

Tan (left) taking part in the clean-up initiative. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

but imagine the collective impact if we all did it consistently, not just today but as a way of life,” she said. She also quoted Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen: “The Earth is like our mother, she carries and nurtures all beings. We should cherish her with a grateful heart.” Also present were BCorp joint CEO Vivienne Cheng Chi Fan, Top Glove chairman Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai, Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Pua Pei Ling, Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy CEO Josephine Tien and Southern Score managing director Tan Sri Gan Yu Chai. Among the corporate supporters were Berjaya Group, Public Bank, Top Glove, Sunway Group, Nirvana, Radium Development Berhad, Southern Score Builders Berhad and Techsaltants. Tzu Chi Malaysia currently operates 154 recycling centres and 776 community-based recycling points nationwide, reflecting a deep rooted commitment to sustainability at the grassroots level.

number of cigarette butts collected. “We picked up a lot of cigarette butts today. Perhaps it’s time for cigarette companies to provide proper disposal containers, boxes with a section to stub out and store the butts that can be placed in public areas. “Everyone needs to take responsibility, not just the companies but individuals as well. Smokers should do their part to dispose of their cigarette butts properly instead of leaving them scattered everywhere,” he said. Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy CEO Puan Sri Tong Siew Bee thanked all participants and supporting organisations, underscoring the significance of the movement. “This marks three decades of Tzu Chi’s environmental journey in Malaysia. For 30 years, we have worked with local communities to protect Earth through education, advocacy and action. “At Tzu Chi, we believe that every small action creates a ripple of goodness. Picking up just one piece of litter may seem insignificant,

Pineapple waste industry set for boost with collection kiosks JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board is formulating a comprehensive plan to strengthen the country’s pineapple waste industry, with the proposed establishment of five pineapple waste processing centres (PWPC) and 50 waste collection kiosks nationwide. operations in Rompin, Pahang last year and is equipped with modern machinery, including harvesters, crushers, extruders and dryers, with capacity to process between one and three tonnes of waste daily. Sustainable Development Goals,” he said. According to data from the board, each acre of pineapple plantation could generate up to 51 tonnes of waste.

It is estimated that about two million tonnes of pineapple waste are produced annually, based on the current nationwide plantation area of 18,664ha. “We see immense potential in this industry, not only economically but also in terms of sustainability and optimal resource utilisation. “By capitalising on the three-stage harvesting concept and the development of diverse, high-value products, the estimated value per pineapple plant is between RM30 and RM50,” he added. The inaugural Malaysian Pineapple Day celebration, themed “Nanas Kita Kebanggaan Negara”, held from June 27 until yesterday, aims to promote pineapple as a key national crop and attract youth interest in modern agriculture. – Bernama

On the waste collection kiosks, Mohd Khairuzamri said they would be set up at community and smallholder levels to facilitate the sale of pineapple waste to PWPC located nearby. “These kiosks would streamline logistics and centralised waste collection, thereby accelerating the value chain process in the pineapple waste industry,” he said. Mohd Khairuzamri also highlighted that the board’s three-stage harvesting approach, covering fruit, seedlings and waste, could enhance farm efficiency and generate additional income for growers. “This is in line with the National Agrofood Policy through zero waste management initiatives and supports the United Nations

Board director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M. Salleh said the initiative is being planned through funding requested under the 13th Malaysia Plan. The five centres are expected to be built in the East Coast, and southern, northern, central and Sarawak zones to turn farm waste into a new source of income for farmers while supporting national environmental sustainability goals. “The PWPC will collect and process pineapple waste such as leaves and stems into products that include animal feed, planting base, paper pulp and compost materials,” he told Bernama at the Malaysian Pineapple Day 2025 celebration held at Angsana Mall yesterday. He said the first pilot PWPC project began