Astro’s Second Annual Rimba Kita Run Gathers Community to Promote Environmental Awareness

KUALA LUMPUR: Astro, Malaysia’s leading content and entertainment company, is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the second annual Rimba Kita Run, held on Saturday, 23 November 2024, at Putrajaya Wetlands Park. The event, aimed at raising awareness for climate change, saw an enthusiastic turnout of over 1,200 participants, all coming together to support environmental causes and promote sustainable living.  

In line with its commitment to use its voice for good, Astro is delighted to report that the Rimba Kita Run this year more than doubled the funds raised. These funds will be channelled towards vital environmental conservation and preservation efforts under the Rimba Kita initiative. They will support ongoing collaborations with key organizations such as the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia, the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB), Taman Tugu, and the Global Environment Centre.

This year, the event was made possible with the generous support of key sponsors: Kaon, Alphabet Capital, and Huawei Cloud. Other sponsors include Salad Atelier, Love Nature, Asics, and Snappymob. The event was also supported by the presence of the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC), Malaysian Association for the Blind, Teach For Malaysia (TFM), ISSF Sport Stacking Malaysia, Cenviro, and Decathlon.

Various fun and learning activities were organized to engage participants in this family-friendly event, including a group warm-up led by Astro Ceria’s Didi & Friends, as well as Tong Tong & Doo Doo from Astro Xiao Tai Yang’s DT Jamboree. There were also performances by Idris Brown and Dinda Dania, and a special appearance by Oga, Astro’s latest IP that promotes environmental awareness amongst young children.

Astro Group Chief Executive Officer, Euan Daryl Smith, who flagged off and led the run, said, “The Rimba Kita Run has shown us the power of community action. With over 1,200 participants, we've not only raised significant funds for forest conservation but also heightened awareness about the urgent need to protect our natural resources. This event is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together for a common cause.”

This year's running event took significant steps to minimize environmental impact. Astro encouraged participants to reuse their running t-shirts, reducing the need for new materials. The event setup featured reused materials, showcasing Astro’s dedication to sustainability. Astro prioritized the use of biodegradable utensils and reusable materials to cut down on plastic waste, while all trail activities and carnival booths had environmental messaging & education infused into the fun. Additionally, comprehensive waste sorting & recycling was implemented to manage waste generated at the venue.

In line with Astro’s commitment, the team is tabulating and accounting for the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from this event. This data will serve as a baseline for future events, to track for and continuously improve sustainability design within future events. Together, these initiatives reflect Astro's dedication to a greener, more sustainable future.

As an ongoing effort, Astro remains committed to fostering a greener future with the continuous curation and broadcast of environmental content, tree sponsorships, and regular voluntary tree-planting. Astro extends their heartfelt thanks to all participants, sponsors, partners, supporters and media friends who made the Rimba Kita Run 2024 a resounding success. Together, Astro hopes to make strides towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Be part of Astro’s next exciting adventure to protect our planet! Whether it's running, tree planting, environmental restoration, or participating in community grassroot engagements, there's always a way for you to get involved and support Rimba Kita and protect Malaysia's tropical rainforests which are among the oldest in the world, dating back over 130 million years. Follow us on Astro Kasih Malaysia social media and visit our website for the latest updates on upcoming events and initiatives.