PULAU BESAR, June 9, 2024 – To commemorate the World Environment Day on 5th June, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the Johor State Education Department (JPNJ), and the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) came together to host the inaugural Unravel the Plastic Catastrophe Bootcamp from 4th to 6th June 2024.
This significant event was made possible through a grant from Yayasan Hasanah and received additional support from UDA Land. This Iskandar Malaysia Ecolife Challenge (IMELC) 2024 programme was a collaborative effort with key partners such as the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), Ranhill SAJ Sdn. Bhd., and SWM Environment Sdn. Bhd. Segamat Municipal Council (MPS) and Heng Hiap also contributed as supporting partners to the initiative.
Over the course of three days, this bootcamp has assembled 117 participants, including environmentalists, policymakers, and 58 sustainability coordinators from schools across Johor to devise innovative strategies aimed at tackling this urgent issue. Also present were Mr. Haji Md. Dom bin Dui, Deputy Director General of Mathematics and Science, JPNJ; Ms. Kamisah Mohd Ghazali, Head Resilient Environment IRDA; Prof. Dr. Fatin Aliah Phang, a Professor at the School of Education, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH) UTM; Mr. Ahmad Sufyan bin Mohamed Aslam and Ms. Jasmin Irisha Jim Ilham, Programme Officers (Climate and Environment) from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF); Miss Nadiah Amirah Noor Azlan, an Executive at the Grant Programme Coordination Department, Yayasan Hasanah; Mr. Mohd Shafiq bin Mohd Soufi, Ranhill SAJ; and Mr. Ahmad Afif bin Ab Samad, MPS.
Set amid the breathtaking natural landscape of Alun Alun Island Resort on Pulau Besar, this bootcamp serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of protecting our oceans from the devastating impact of plastic waste. Here, participants gain insight into various aspects of plastic, including its history, types, environmental implications, microplastics, innovations, and more, with a call to action to apply the knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of not just learning, but also actively disseminating and implementing this knowledge to make a tangible difference. The primary objectives of this bootcamp are twofold: to encourage a greater number of Combat Plastic Advocates and Combat Plastic Champions among teachers, and to nurture students into becoming dedicated Combat Plastic Ambassadors.
As the bootcamp enters its final day, there is a palpable sense of optimism and determination among attendees. The consensus is clear: concerted and immediate action is imperative to address the plastic crisis and safeguard the health of our oceans for future generations. Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Haji Md. Dom bin Dui emphasized, “The decisions we make today will shape the destiny of our ecosystems for years to come. Let us seize this moment to untangle the plastic catastrophe and pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.”
The Unravel the Plastic Catastrophe Bootcamp serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the worldwide battle against plastic pollution by enhancing awareness and understanding of plastic-related issues among students, teachers, and their families in Iskandar Malaysia, to be achieved through the development of educational modules, school policies, and community engagement initiatives. Moreover, this bootcamp plays a crucial role in disseminating knowledge, increasing awareness, and highlighting the usage and impacts of plastics across the Iskandar Malaysia community which can be achieved by actively engaging students and teachers in various educational initiatives and advocacy efforts. As participants bid farewell to Alun Alun Island Resort, they carry with them a revitalized sense of purpose and a shared dedication to effecting meaningful change. It is only through collective endeavour and steadfast determination that we can reverse the tide of plastic pollution and secure a more promising future for our planet.
Written by: Nur’ain Balqis Haladin and Nina Diana Nawi