Taman Melawati is about to come alive with a very special community festival, one that brings together arts, environment, youth, and neighbourhood spirit. It’s called the Jalinan x Little River Festival 2025, and it’s the first time two grassroots movements are joining forces: Jalinan, a monthly arts and community programme centred on Jalan Negara Kita; and the Little River Festival, a project rooted in nearly eight years of weekly river restoration work along the Klang River. This year’s theme, “From the River to the Streets,” connects Melawati’s recent flooding with the way our everyday behaviour — from waste to development — shapes the health of our rivers and our neighbourhoods. The festival, which is the first Gombak Hulu Langat Geopark Community event organised and led by the community, aims to bring that story to life through workshops, exhibitions, and youth-led activities all across the community. Joining us to share more are Nazura Rahime, who is the co-founder of Jalan Negara Kita, and Kennedy Michael, the founder of Community Action Nexus and Alliance of River Three.

Photo Credit: Nazure Rahime