For years, more than 1.3 million visitors and Hindu devotees have left massive amounts of rubbish around Batu Caves after the annual Thaipusam celebration. This year, however, a dedicated group of 100 volunteers is aiming to change that.

'Sampah Masyarakat', a non-profit organisation founded by Shyam Priah and her friends, will be organising the largest clean-up in Malaysia this Feb 9, the day after Thaipusam. The cleaning up will take place from 6am to 7pm.

Volunteers, who comprise of youths from the Batu Caves assembly as well as members of the public, will participate by clearing up as much rubbish as possible and disposing it at 40 ‘ro-ro' (roll-on, roll-off) bins strategically placed around Batu Caves by Alam Flora.

Although the organisers are aiming for 100 volunteers, they hope that more members of the public will come forward to help in the cause.

the great batu caves thaipusam clean up 040209 shyam priah Shyam, who is also subscriptions manager at Malaysiakini , said she was inspired to start the initiative after witnessing the huge amounts of rubbish generated during Thaipusam at Batu Caves in her days as a youth volunteer.

"The first time I saw the piles of rubbish, I thought to myself, ‘how can we go about cleaning it up?'

"With this campaign, we hope to inculcate awareness for a litter-free community as well as create a change in people's attitudes. Cleanliness is not next to godliness. Cleanliness is godliness. How do you pray when the temple is not even clean?"

However, Shyam emphasised that the campaign was neither a one-off event nor a Hindu community project, but rather, a multiracial community project which she hopes will be replicated at other events, including pasar malams , assemblies held in fields and concerts.

'Not a one-off event'

"We have received a call from a Buddhist temple requesting for a similar clean-up to be held on Wesak Day. In addition, there are future plans for ‘adopt-a- kampung ' campaigns, whereby volunteers will teach kampung residents proper ways of disposing rubbish and how to beautify their surroundings.

batu caves thaipusam crowd "The events and target groups may seem different but the objective is the same - to instil a love for cleanliness and hygiene."

Shyam added that the campaign had been well-received, remarking, "The Selayang town council, Alam Flora, Batu Caves assemblyman Amiruddin Saari, Youth4Change and Notti Creations (official T-shirt designer) have all bean supportive, and we have also had donations from individual well-wishers."

Participants of the campaign will also receive certificates of participation in recognition of their efforts and to instil in them a sense of involvement as well as encourage youths to kick start their own non-profit initiatives.

Naturally, it will be a pamphlet-free campaign.