On 2 August, a group of environmental enthusiasts joined Greenpeace Malaysia for a refreshing 3km hike at Taman Tugu but this wasn’t just any Saturday morning walk in the forest.
Eighteen participants woke up early to hike for environmental rights, gathering at 7:30am in Taman Tugu’s Nursery section. The group was a mix of familiar faces and new friends including some who had followed Greenpeace Malaysia for years but were taking part in our activities for the very first time.
Why we walked
The aim was simple yet powerful: bring nature lovers together for a cause. Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair in 2025, has the rare but perfect opportunity to lead the region in declaring environmental rights. Greenpeace is calling on our government to seize this moment to champion a legally binding framework that ensures clean air, safeguards vulnerable communities, and delivers on the ASEAN 2025 theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.”
As we walked beneath the canopy, in the midst of a concrete jungle right here in Kuala Lumpur, the message was clear: environmental rights are human rights and it’s time for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take decisive action and make this vision a reality. If not now, when are we right?
Reflections from the trail
After the hike, we gathered for breakfast and a short reflection session. Participants shared what it felt like to be in the forest; the cool shade, the fresh air, and the sense of calm before diving into discussions about urgent environmental issues facing Malaysia. We spoke about the recent extreme haze episode that forced several state governments to activate disaster management plans, and the alarming pace of deforestation nationwide begging the question, “what would our future look like?”
The session ended with participants signing our petition for environmental rights. Some stayed to enjoy a second round of hiking, while others carried on with their day. The best part? We’ve now created a hiking group dedicated to the environment and this was just the first of many walks for nature and justice.
