KLANG, Dec 19 — The urban sustainability agenda remains a priority as the Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) organised the MBDK Sustainable Community Awards 2025 to recognise the contributions of communities, agencies, and the private sector to the city's development.
Its Mayor Dato' Abd Hamid Hussain said the organisation of the annual ceremony reflects the local authority’s commitment to balancing social, economic, and environmental development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Sustainability cannot be shouldered by the local authority alone; rather, it requires continuous support from the community, government agencies, educational institutions, and the private sector as strategic partners,” he said when officiating the ceremony yesterday.
Hamid added that Klang is currently facing various challenges, including urbanisation pressures, climate change, flood risks, industrial development, and an increase in solid waste, all of which require integrated stakeholder involvement.
In tandem with these efforts, MBDK also launched the Sahabat Sungai programme as an inclusive approach to engage the community in river conservation and flood risk reduction in Klang.
At the ceremony, three main categories were contested, involving 38 recipients, including SDG Strategic Partners under the Low Carbon City 2030 initiative (LCC2030C) with 19 recipients, SDG Strategic Partners Cintai Sungai Klang (three recipients), and the MBDK Building Community Gardens (16 recipients).
The ceremony also underscored MBDK’s commitment to strengthening sustainable and responsive urban governance, with community collaboration as the cornerstone of Klang’s future development.
Meanwhile, the council is targeting 100,000 members for Sahabat Sungai to strengthen the community's role as the frontline in monitoring and preserving Sungai Klang.
He said that to date, over 5,000 people have joined the programme since its launch in conjunction with the MBDK Sustainable Community Awards 2025.
“Awareness of the importance of keeping rivers clean is crucial, as most pollution stems from the daily activities of the public, particularly in residential and commercial areas,” Hamid said.
He noted that implementing Sahabat Sungai creates opportunities for direct community involvement to prevent solid waste from flowing into rivers, thereby supporting pollution prevention efforts and reducing flood risks.
“Sahabat Sungai members serve as volunteers and observers by channelling information to MBDK regarding illegal dumping and breaches of cleanliness regulations,” Hamid said.
Registrations to join the programme can be made by scanning a QR code or via MBDK’s official website to facilitate coordination, monitoring, and the dissemination of activities.
He said the initiative aligns with the Cintai Sungai Klang Action Plan, which focuses on flood risk reduction and strengthening environmental sustainability through active community participation.
