Planters International Berhad Visits Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) to Explore Collaboration on Conservation and Technological Solutions

11th October 2024, Klang – Today, Planters International Berhad had the privilege of visiting Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG), a flagship initiative operated by Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB), a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated. The site visit aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration, focusing on how Planters’ advanced technological solutions could assist SMG in enhancing their efforts in river rejuvenation, conservation, and biodiversity management.

Landasan Lumayan and SMG's Role in Klang River Rejuvenation

Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) has been tasked by the Selangor State Government to act as the Master Developer in the Rejuvenation of Klang River, now known as the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG). Covering 88,000 acres of land along 56 km of the Klang River, the SMG project aims to transform Klang into an Eco Smart City, promoting new economic activities while restoring and maintaining the river’s ecosystem.

LLSB has introduced cutting-edge technology along the river, such as sensors that monitor water levels and quality. The success of this project is evident, with the river's Water Quality Index (WQI) improving from Class V (dangerously polluted) to Class III (moderately good). This improvement has led to the resurgence of wildlife, including sightings of crocodiles and otters—indicators of better water health. SMG continues to lead the way in river rejuvenation efforts, and our visit provided an opportunity to discuss how we can extend our Active Forest Asset Management (AFAM) technology to support their mission.

Key Highlights from the Site Visit

During the visit, we were shown the incredible technologies being utilized in river cleaning, including the deployment of 7 log booms (floating trash traps) and two Interceptors (002 and 005), which were developed by The Ocean Cleanup. These Interceptors, part of a global initiative to tackle riverine plastic pollution, have been instrumental in reducing the amount of waste flowing into the ocean from Klang River.

Since being mandated to clean the Klang River in 2016, LLSB’s efforts have led to a remarkable reduction in waste collected—from an average of 1,446 metric tonnes (MT) per month in 2016 to 1,094 MT per month by 2019. In total, approximately 50,000 MT of debris has been removed from the river. This improvement is also due to greater public awareness and engagement through various programs and activities organized by SMG.

The Interceptor Technology

The Interceptor Original, deployed in Klang River, is a solar-powered, autonomous river cleaning solution developed by The Ocean Cleanup. These interceptors are part of a global mission to address riverine plastic pollution, which accounts for 80% of ocean plastic pollution. The interceptors function by stopping plastic in rivers before it reaches the ocean, offering a more cost-effective and efficient solution compared to downstream ocean cleanups.

Klang River is home to two of only 15 Interceptors deployed worldwide, highlighting Malaysia's commitment to leading the fight against plastic pollution. With its smart processing and connectivity features, the Interceptor Original has proven highly effective in river environments like Klang River, helping to reduce plastic pollution significantly.

Exploring Collaboration for Biodiversity Conservation

At Planters International, we believe that technology and nature can work hand in hand for conservation efforts. During our discussions with LLSB, we explored how our AFAM technology could assist SMG in their efforts to conserve, map, and catalog the river’s biodiversity. Our solutions could help create a more robust biodiversity database for Klang River, which would enable active conservation interventions, further improving water quality and the marine ecosystem.

We also discussed the possibility of utilizing autonomous drones, satellite connectivity, and digital mapping technologies to enhance river monitoring efforts. Our expertise in using SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) technology for mapping and forest asset management could be adapted to assist in marine conservation, ensuring the sustainability of the Klang River ecosystem for future generations.

By combining our expertise in biodiversity management with their successful efforts in river rejuvenation, we hope to create lasting positive impacts on both the ecosystem and the communities along Klang River. We are excited about the potential to work together on innovative solutions that will not only maintain the health of the river but also enhance the overall sustainability of the Selangor Maritime Gateway.

We look forward to continuing our discussions with LLSB and SMG in the coming months, focusing on joint conservation efforts, technological innovation, and community engagement to protect and sustain Malaysia’s waterways.

Together, we can ensure a cleaner, greener future for Klang River and beyond.