AFFIN Group takes up position in the environment after the bank committed to sponsorship for the operation of the Interceptor 002 to support the cleaning and rehabilitation of the last 56-kilometre stretch of Klang River through this high-tech and environmentally friendly solution.
The Interceptor 002, developed by The Ocean Cleanup, is the first out of two high-tech river cleanup solutions currently 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. The Interceptor helps to improve the existing cleanup efficiency, making for quicker and more scalable cleanup. To date, more than 2 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 cleanup efforts.
The collaboration between AFFIN and Landasan Lumayan is seen as way way 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.
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 56-kilometre stretch of Klang River. Through various award-winning recognitions, the SMG project has achieved significant improvements to the river and ecosystem, e.g.: 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% 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% number of days in a year recorded water quality at Class 3 and above.
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. And many more that are benefitting the surrounding community and are in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Securities Commission’s Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Framework.
