Big Build Malaysia 2025- Rebuilding Reefs Together

In 2025, through the collaboration between Sabah Parks, WWF Malaysia, Mars Sustainable Solutions and local communities, 1000 Reef Stars were deployed in Taman Tun Mustapha, Sabah, Malaysia.

In 2022, Mars Sustainable Solutions [MSS] formed a partnership with WWF Malaysia to expand restoration efforts across the Coral Triangle and install the first MARRS Reef Stars to degraded coral reefs in Tun Mustapha Park, Malaysia.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, several members of the WWF Malaysia and Reef Check Malaysia team were trained in the MARRS method by Pariama Hutasoit, director and co-founder of Bali Blue Harmony. Since then, utilizing their training, they have deployed 2,000+ reef stars in the region, out planting over 30,000 coral fragments.

MSS Indonesia team assisting in the coating of Reef Stars with WWF Malaysia and local community volunteers

Building on the success of restoration in Tun Mustapha Park between 2022 and 2024 and in view of the organisation's expertise and pioneering work in coral reef restoration, this May, 2025, Sabah Parks invited two members of MSS Indonesia, Lily Damayanti and Andi M. Agung Pratama visited Malaysia to participate in to participate in the program with the aim of enriching the initiative and fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange, particularly in sharing best practices in coral restoration efforts.

With the assistance of WWF Malaysia and Selakan Marine Conservation Group, the Sabah Parks conducted a habitat assessment in which they invited the MSS team to support and provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange between partners. Over the six days, the Big Build Malaysia was successful in installing 1,000 MARRS Reef Stars to Sabah Park, outplanting more than 12,000 coral fragments of a variety of species in Pulau Kalampunian.

Shuttling of MARRS Reef Stars during the Big Build Malaysia

WWF Malaysia, Reef Check Malaysia and MSS Indonesia team

The Big Build was received well by the community, and approximately 50 volunteers from Sabah Parks became actively involved in the coating of Reef Stars and tying on process in Tajau Laut and Simpang Mangayau.

An estimated 8-10 trained MARRS builders (5 community divers, 1 WWF, 2 Sabah Parks, 2 MSS), alongside a team of approximately 22 snorkelers from the local community, assisted in the building of the Reef Star web onto an area of coral reef that had previously been degraded to rubble.

MARRS Reef Star web in Sabah Park, Malaysia

Despite some challenging diving conditions, including variable tides and strong currents, the Big Build was a huge success and highlighted the benefit of effective partnerships between organisations and local communities in restoration efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of these precious ecosystems!