As the planet heats up and pollution worsens, one Sarawakian couple has turned frustration into action – sparking a grassroots movement, #CleanUpPanBorneo, to protect the environment and preserve Sarawak’s natural legacy.
Turning frustration into action
GLOBAL warming continues to rise, affecting the climate we live in. With countless greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere, our world is changing rapidly – and not for the better.
As these concerns grow, the urgency lies in addressing these challenges and combating their impact.
Each year, the International Day of Climate Action serves as a reminder that individuals, communities and governments must take steps towards a more sustainable future, from personal lifestyle changes to systemic policy shifts.
That’s exactly what 33-yearold Tracey Hughes and her husband, Meldrick Udos, decided to do – by starting #CleanUpPanBorneo.
The initiative began out of sheer frustration and a desire to create a cleaner environment along the Pan Borneo Highway.
“It was when I was watching the sunset at one of the bus stops that I saw rubbish piling up. I felt sad because that was my village area and all I wanted to do was chill and relax at the spot,” recalled Tracey.
It has now been more than two weeks since she launched the movement. For Tracey, if everyone keeps pointing fingers, nothing will ever get done. She believes cleanliness and hygiene are habits that must be cultivated collectively.
“It might seem small – just cleaning a bus stop – but climate action starts with a mindset.
“We can create a culture of care that extends to bigger issues like pollution and waste management. Every piece of rubbish we stop from entering our rivers and oceans matters. It may look insignificant, but it’s all connected,” she said.
A community thriving under #CleanUpPanBorneo
Tracey’s initiative has received encouraging responses and active participation on social media. Once just a stretch of road people passed through, the Pan Borneo Highway – a major legacy of Sarawak – is now the focus of community efforts to keep it clean.
From individual volunteers and college students to uniformed bodies, everyone has come together under the banner of #CleanUpPanBorneo.
Armed with gloves, clippers and rubbish bags, each clean-up may seem small but represents a simple yet powerful act of responsibility – a reminder that preserving Sarawak’s beauty begins with collective action.
“Just do it. Don’t wait for others. When we wait for others to join us, it’s never going to happen. I think this can spark positive change in society, but it has to be continuous.
“I hope #CleanUpPanBorneo doesn’t become a short-lived trend or hype,” she said, adding that many have since joined their community efforts along the highway.
A typical clean-up takes about an hour and a half, sometimes shorter or longer depending on the location.
