In line with the Buddhist principle of the "oneness of life and its environment", SGM Penang participated in a mass bio-remedial campaign which involved tossing what is known as Effective Microorganism (EM) mud balls into several designated rivers and the sea off Penang.

The campaign, "A Million Apologies to Mother Earth" was launched on August 8, 2009 at the Gurney Drive seafront promenade, a once popular spot for Penangites in the 70s but is today covered with mud and sludge due to development and pollution. EM is expected to break down the sludge and reduce the growth of algae in the sea.

EM is a technology developed by Japanese professor Dr Teruo Higa from the University of Ryukyu. It utilises naturally occurring, beneficial micro-organisms such as photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts to purify and revive nature. It is currently used in many countries around the world in water and sewage purification, improving recycled water and solving sanitary problems.

SGM Penang had initially committed to make a total of 120,000 EM mud balls for the campaign which aimed to produce a million mud balls – reportedly the highest in the world over such a short period of time. Each mud ball, the size of a tennis ball, is made from ordinary clay with a mixture of EM solution, rice bran and molasses. The initiative to make the mud balls started in June 2009. SGM Penang members participated in workshops to learn how to make EM mud balls. Through the concerted efforts of the members, a total of 137,000 EM mud balls were made over three weekends in July. The process was a memorable one for all who were involved – a combination of sweat, laughter and good intentions. Soka friends and family members also participated in the good cause.

During the launching ceremony of "One Million Apologies to Mother Earth," State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said that the massive bio-remedial campaign was a comprehensive programme involving the entire state as mud ball throwing sessions would be organised at chosen sites in all districts.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the campaign was part of the state's effort to become the "first green state in Malaysia." The Chief Minister also reported that the EM technology has been effective in cleaning up two rivers in Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi over the past six months, and that aquatic life has been revived in these places. The state is targeting to clean up Sungai Pinang next.

Prof Teruo Higa, the developer of the EM technology also attended the launching ceremony. Immediately after the launch, Chief Minister Lim and Prof Higa led a group of people in throwing EM mud balls into the sea off the Gurney Drive coast. About 170 SGM members joined hundreds of other people from various organisations and private sectors in the endeavour. The sound of mud balls plopping into the sea was greeted with wild cheers.

Over in Seberang Perai, 70 SGM members also converged at Taman Merak to throw EM mud balls into the Parit Siam River.

On August 21, The Star paper (Metro section) reported that the water within a 100m radius off the Gurney Drive coast in Penang was less murky and smelly since the EM mud balls throwing on August 8. It is reported that sludge has been reduced by 10cm and the water is clearer now during low tide.

Cleaning up the environment is a massive task which takes time, but the Penang example has shown what is possible through the concerted efforts of the people.