UTAR PR CSR Project 2024 promotes sustainability through creative flashmob performances

The UTAR PR CSR Project 2024: We Want No Plastic successfully concluded its flashmob events, held on 23 July 2024 and 17 August 2024 at Student Pavillion I and Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik of UTAR Kampar Campus.

These events aimed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of single-use plastics and inspire people to adopt sustainable alternatives. Organised by 62 Public Relations students under the guidance of Faculty of Arts and Social Science academic Ms Diong Fong Wei, the project aligned with Malaysia’s Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018-2030. Collaborating partners included Zantat Holdings Berhad, Zaneco Sdn Bhd, HOGA, Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng, Majlis Daerah Kampar (MDKpr), and Green Energy Asia.

The flashmobs featured a series of musical performances that creatively incorporated recycled materials. The first act involved a rendition of “Rasa Sayang”, with rewritten lyrics to promote reducing plastic usage. This was followed by an acoustic performance of “Fight Song” and a medley of “Waka Waka”, “Shape of You”, and “Sugar”. The highlight was the use of musical instruments crafted from repurposed plastic items like shakers and percussion instruments. The event concluded with a lively dance performance to the Chinese song “Ye Lang Disco”, emphasising environmental conservation.

These flashmob performances captivated UTAR students and staff, generating curiosity and encouraging support for the We Want No Plastic initiative. The flashmob events were part of a larger effort, with previous performances at Kampar’s wet market and Westcity Condominium’s night market, to engage the community on the impact of single-use plastics.

During the final flashmob at UTAR’s 39th Convocation, attendees, including graduates, alumni, and their families, were intrigued by the lively music and innovative use of discarded plastic instruments. The performances sparked conversations about sustainability and how everyday actions can reduce plastic waste.

Ang Xie Chie, Assistant of the Programme Department and event organiser, shared, “We wanted to show that environmental protection can be creative, fun, and accessible to everyone. By combining music, dance, and education, we hope to inspire small but impactful changes in daily habits.”

The We Want No Plastic committee members interacted with attendees, sharing educational materials and encouraging them to follow the project’s social media pages and purchase eco-friendly merchandise. They also engaged the audience through an interactive session featuring evaluation boards that depicted the environmental impacts of single-use plastics.

Teng Siu Siang from the Technical and Logistics Department reflected on capturing the audience’s reactions, saying, “Their surprise and awe as they realised the music was made with recycled instruments reminded us of the power of creativity in spreading our message.”

Lai Ying Shan, from the Research and Development Department, said, “These flashmobs were a unique way to engage with people and make the issue of single-use plastics more relatable. It’s rewarding to see how art and performance can inspire action.”

Through these flashmobs, the UTAR PR CSR Project 2024 successfully spread environmental awareness and promoted sustainable practices, demonstrating that even small initiatives can contribute to a cleaner, greener future.