KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Group recently signed a sponsorship for the operation of the Interceptor 002, in collaboration with Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB), a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI.
The Interceptor 002 was developed by The Ocean Cleanup, which is the first out of two high-tech river clean-up solution deployed in Malaysia.
“The autonomous system incorporates smart processing and solar-powered mechanics and continuously collects plastic waste and other debris from the river using a conveyor belt,” according to a press release.
“The Interceptor helps to improve the existing clean-up efficiency, making for quicker and more scalable clean-up. To date, more than two million kg of trash have been removed by Interceptor 002, and with Affin’s support, we envisage that it will continue to play a critical role in the river clean-up efforts.
“The collaboration between Affin and LLSB advances efforts to raise awareness and advocacy on river conservation, flood prevention, and the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem that will have a positive impact on the environment and local communities along the Klang River, managed by LLSB in its role as the Master Developer of the Selangor Maritime Gateway project.”
Affin stated that the project is in line with the
Affin Axelerate 2028 (AX28) plan pillar of Responsible Banking with Impact (ESG), reflecting its passion for leaving things in a better state than we found them.
“Additionally, we are proud to engage with 85 students from 11 local schools and two international schools in this initiative as part of the Sri Aman Environmental and English Youth Leadership Summit (SAEYLS) 2024, which involves a river clean-up CSR initiative and an enriching environmental educational excursion,” Affin added.
Affin noted that the Interceptor 002 is located at the river stretch behind Masjid Bandar Diraja Klang and is one of the initiatives under Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project to implement rejuvenation and development efforts for the last 56km stretch of Klang River.
“Through various award-winning recognitions, the SMG project has achieved significant improvements to the river and ecosystem, such as 89,629 MT of solid waste removed from 2016 until February 2024 (that is equivalent to the weight of 480 Boeing 747 Jumbo Jets), 67 per cent reduction of waste in 2023 where only 5,389 MT of waste removed from the Klang River as compared to 16,407 MT in 2016, Improvement on the Water Quality Index from Class V to Class III where 69 per cent number of days in a year recorded water quality at Class 3 and above, and river ecosystem restoration i.e. bring life back to the river which has seen the return of otters, crocodiles, migratory birds, nesting eagles, and various fish species.”
