Community Spirit Shines at Earth Warriors Day in Padawan

suppadmin | September 29, 2025

The spirit of teamwork and environmental care was on full display yesterday as residents gathered at Taman Rekreasi Taman Kota Padawan Batu 11 to celebrate Earth Warriors Day, an annual global initiative dedicated to community clean-up efforts.

Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, Cr. Tan Kai, praised the support from Komuniti Rukun Tetangga (KRT) and Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) under the “adopt-a-park” programme, which has helped maintain cleanliness and safety in public parks.

“MPP looks after more than 100 recreational parks, so it’s not easy for us to monitor them all the time. With the ‘adopt-a-park’ programme, the community helps us keep an eye on the parks. If they see any damage or vandalism, they quickly inform our councillors,” he said during the opening ceremony.

Tan added that the initiative not only fosters community responsibility but also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting healthy lifestyles (SDG 3), building sustainable communities (SDG 11), and strengthening partnerships (SDG 17).

He also encouraged more NGOs to adopt parks and collaborate with MPP in organising similar activities. “Even though some parks are adopted by NGOs, MPP still carries out regular maintenance work. We don’t leave it all to the community,” he stressed.

The event featured clean-up activities, tree planting, and recycling drives, with 50 saplings contributed by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre. It was jointly organised by the Jong Clan Association of Kuching-Samarahan-Serian, Padawan Kuching Cultural Club, KRT Countrywood and Taman Kota Padawan Batu 11, JKKK Kampung Kuap Cina, and MPP.

Residents who joined the programme said it was more than just a clean-up, as it also strengthened neighbourhood bonds and raised awareness of climate change.