Mini Karnival KPT Prihatin Keluarga Malaysia assists Mersing residents

Mersing, 5 March 2022 - The Mini Karnival KPT Prihatin Keluarga Malaysia Programme, which took place at the Futsal Rink of Kampung Nelayan and Tenglu Laut Open Hall, Mersing recently benefited the local community by giving them the opportunity to get health checks, free motorcycle service and information on admission to Higher Education Institutions (HEI), especially for high school students.

Joy was evident in the visitors especially children after a long period without any activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the country.

The programme organised by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) was carried out according to new norms to ensure that attending visitors comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

It received the collaboration from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, Chancellor Tuanku Mukhriz Hospital, Bandar Penawar Community College, Rompin Community College and Mersing Polytechnic.

According to the Vice-Chancellor of UMP, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, this carnival was also a platform with the target to deliver information about learning in higher education institution including Yayasan UMP’s Sulung Scholarship offer.

“In this programme, people have the opportunity to get information about studying at Community Colleges, Mersing Polytechnic and UMP.

“We could also disseminate information to the local community about the opportunity for students who are the first children from B40 families who are offered to study diploma and degree programmes at UMP regarding the UMP Sulung Scholarship.

“This initiative is also in line with the intention of MoHE in introducing the Siswa Sulung Keluarga Malaysia Development Programme (SULUNG) to help change the economic landscape of families after one of their family members was selected to set foot in the ivory tower,” he said to the community here.

For the Village Chief of Kampung Tenglu Laut, Haji Jemali Othman, the village has a population of 900 and such a programme could certainly provide facilities for the community here to undergo health checks and participate in a funeral ritual course organised by Bandar Penawar Community College.

Meanwhile, Norhayati Nordin from Taman Tun Dr. Ismail Mersing said that those present also had the opportunity to follow a tower plant planting course using PVC pipes shared by the teaching staff of Bandar Penawar Community College.

UMP also held its Community Service Programme (CSR) Lighting Up The Community with the installation of solar-powered accent lighting systems for community facilities here by adding lighting at the Kampung Pengkalan Batu wakaf, Mersing.

This project is part of the activities in conjunction with UMP’s 20th Anniversary Celebration which will be held for the whole year in line with UMP’s slogan ‘Technology for Society’.

For the Village Head of Kampung Pengkalan Batu, Samsuri Yusof, he was grateful that this location was also chosen in support of efforts that contribute to sustainability and energy saving.

“It is more meaningful now that the wakaf often frequented by parents while waiting for their children to come home from school now has a light and they can charge their mobile phones here,” he said, who was very grateful for the programme’s initiative.

Also present was the Secretary of the Committee for the Development and Security of Kampung Pengkalan Batu, Rosli Jelani.

Up to now, 30 locations have been involved in this programme, including Kampung Tekek Tioman, Kampung Orang Asli Rening, Cameron Highlands, Pekan Sri Medan Mosque and Kampung Parit Singgahan, Batu Pahat.

It was also implemented at Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (SEMSAS), Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sungai Soi, Sekolah Kebangsaan Chini and Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang, Pekan.

The installation of this solar lamp is in line with UMP’s programme based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which are on the global agenda along with the 17 goals for all countries to be achieved by 2030 as introduced by the United Nations (UN).

Also enlivening the carnival were sepak raga, netball and penalty kick competitions as well as the contribution of Prihatin KPT-UMP to help families in need in these two villages.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology