UMPSA and Muslim Care Malaysia collaborate with Pulau Mabul community

SEMPORNA, 1 August 2023 - A total of 37 Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Kilau Volunteers supported the Bajau and Bajau Laut communities living around Pulau Mabul in the Kembara Prihatin@Semporna Programme organised by Yayasan UMP with strategic partner, Muslim Care Malaysia (Muslim Care).

In addition to providing daily necessities, UMPSA volunteers have the opportunity to meet with children at Madrasah Terapung (Floating Madrasah) run by Muslim Care.

They are taught with the Iman, Islam and Ihsan Modules which involves the collaboration of students of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) of the Tawau Campus after finding that the Islamic knowledge of the community here is very limited.

At the programme, the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, who is also the Deputy Chairman of Yayasan UMP, was present with the Secretary General of Muslim Care Malaysia, Ahmad Safuan Ujar and Mr. Ruslan Yohman from Zakat Management Shariah Management of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad Group and Ustaz Wan Azri Wan Omar, who is a lecturer at IPG Tawau Campus.

Also present were members of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan UMP, Datin Nur Sharmila Shaheen, Farrah Ain Madzlan, Treasurer, Zainuddin Othman and Chief Executive of Yayasan UMP, Mohd Jamil Mohd Ja’afar and Director of the Islamic and Human Development Centre (PIMPIN), Associate Professor Dr. Rashidi Abbas.

According to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, this Kembara Prihatin Programme not only provides assistance but also builds strong relationships with the local community and volunteers involved.

“We have the opportunity to see for ourselves the life of the community here which is very challenging not only because of the lack of waste management and sanitation systems, but also limited educational facilities in addition to water and energy supplies that require expenditure beyond the means of the population.

“Furthermore, most of the islanders make their living as fishermen by selling their catch to nearby resorts and tourists.

“In supporting the efforts of Muslim Care in educating children here to study at Madrasah Teapung, the university also contributes mobile solar devices for their use here in helping to facilitate matters during the power outage and completing tasks while increasing the comfort of students and teachers at Madrasah Terapung,” he said.

It is also part of the the UMPSA Community Service Project - Lighting Up The Community which is part of activities in conjunction with UMPSA’s 21st Anniversary Celebration and branding.

UMPSA also donated five water barrels for mosques and madrasah in Pulau Mabul to ease their burden of getting clean water.

It also aligns with the university’s interest to bring the university closer to the community and the slogan ‘Technology for Society’ so that the existence of UMPSA is felt and the expertise benefits the locals.

This programme is part of the activities that took place during the event that runs from 23 July to 2 August 2023 to assist the development of the local community as well as support and bring the new brand of UMPSA.

This programme consists of several clusters including technology, education, community service, health and spirituality clusters that focus on local communities in Pulau Bum Bum and Pulau Mabul, Semporna.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty   of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology