Kuala Lumpur:Hari Cuci Malaysia (HCM) 2026 has achieved two significant records in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) through unprecedented public participation and recyclable material collection in a single day.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) announced that 272,390 people participated nationwide in HCM 2026, and 89,221.22 kilogrammes of recyclable materials were collected in one day.
The event, conducted simultaneously across 469 locations, also resulted in the collection of 8,010.19 tonnes of solid waste through cleaning activities and gotong-royong initiatives. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming highlighted that the success of these records was due to the collective efforts of Malaysians working towards a cleaner and more sustainable country.
Nga emphasized the importance of maintaining the spirit of gotong-royong and its potential to foster long-lasting behavioral change. He also noted that HCM 2026 received support from 10,000 schools, with student participation recognized under the Physical Activity, Sports and Co-curricular Assessment (PAJSK), underscoring the importance of instilling cleanliness and recycling habits from a young age.
The success of HCM 2026, which brought together diverse participants from government agencies, local authorities, the private sector, NGOs, educational institutions, volunteers, and local communities, is seen as a stepping stone towards strengthening the circular economy and sustainable waste management. Nga stressed that while records can be set in a day, building a culture of sustainability will take time, and the challenge is to make practices like recycling a daily habit.
Previously, HCM 2024 set three MBOR records for the highest simultaneous participation with 58,007 people, a collection of 4,645 tonnes of waste in a day, and non-stop operations from 8 am to 8 pm.