KUALA LUMPUR: Some 1,000 Green Volunteers for the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017) and Para Asean Sports from five universities in the country will help promote environmentally-sustainable practices during the event, Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.
Khairy spent time at University Malaya (UM) here talking to the student volunteers from Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Taylor’s University and TAR University College on the importance of maintaining environmental sustainability during KL2017.
"This is a big responsibility for the Green Volunteers, as they will be educating and spreading awareness on green practices, such as (preventing) littering and using recycling bins.
“KL2017 is more than just a sports event; it will be a place for people to demonstrate their knowledge on green practices. And the Green Volunteers, who will be dressed in green and stationed around the stadium, especially near food halls, will do just that,” he said.
“Throughout the Sea Games, there will be recycling bins provided, especially in food truck areas and public areas to promote waste separation. The Green Volunteers have the responsibility of observing the public and their actions in maintaining green practices.
"I want people to start talking and taking action on green initiatives, because our TN50 aspiration is to be more environmentally-friendly. The Sea games is a great way to show that Malaysia is doubling its efforts in keeping the country green.
“KL2017 will also replant 6,000 trees in degraded forest areas to promote wildlife crossings. And Sea Games gold medallists will have a tree planted and named after them at the Bandar Sukan Kuala Lumpur in Bukit Jalil,” he added.
The Green Volunteers will also collect data throughout the games, and run environmental awareness campaigns through social media.
The initiative will also be assisted by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry, the Solid Wastage Corporation Management (SWCorp), the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation and the Malaysian Nature Society.
Khairy added that the first KL2017 song, “Tunjuk Belang” by Monoloque, Azlan Typewriter and Malique, will be aired on local radio stations starting tomorrow.