Livable Sungai Long

All the participants

The Gotong-Royong Project by the Centre for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility in Business (CSDCSR) successfully took place at Sungai Long Campus and the surrounding environs on 28 August 2015.

The cleanliness campaign was participated by volunteers from Sungai Long Medical Centre, Deloitte, including Deloitte Senior Audit Manager Kenix Yap, as well as UTAR staff and students.

This event commenced with a short briefing at the North Lobby main entrance by Department of International Business Asst Prof Phang Fatt Kong. Phang welcomed the gathered guests and volunteered before explaining the goals and objectives of the event. The participants were then divided into five teams that would work in different zones in and around campus.

Phang making clear the event’s purposes

Deloitte staff removing signs from a pole

Phang taking down unwanted signboard with an enforcement officer

One group took charge in taking down unwanted signs and banners alongside the road. The other teams cleared many fallen tree branches, leaves, twigs, broken glass and debris that were scattered around the vicinity of the campus. There was also a group responsible for loosening the soil and planting saplings to beautify the surroundings. Though it meant sheer hard work under the hot sun, the gotong-royong went on smoothly with the selfless dedication from all participants.

Large pieces of rubbish were removed

Volunteers taking turn plowing the soil

Saplings were carefully positioned into the earth

Another group was assigned to go shop by shop with the aim of having a conversation with business owners regarding the cleanliness of Sungai Long. They were also invited to attend a talk that very afternoon designed to inform residents and business owners on the development of Sungai Long and how they could contribute to sustaining the livability of the city.

At the talk, Phang first delivered a speech regarding the nature of some livable cities around the world. “It is the continuous efforts from everyone that sustains the livability of a city,” said Phang while expressing his hope that the hard work by the volunteers would spur the beginning of a new hygiene consciousness in the community. He continued saying that everyone should be aware of how crucial individual action is in keeping the city clean and healthy.

Phang speaking on the qualities of a livable city

“One of the successes of the event was that we built a lot of goodwill with the business community and we were able to get them to take ownership of the area in front of their shops in terms of keeping it clean,” added Phang.

Participants after the talk