Over 20,000 Kampung Sungai Setar Besar Residents Benefit From RM700,000 JKM MADANI Programmes

NIBONG TEBAL, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- More than 20,000 residents of Kampung Sungai Setar Besar here have directly benefited from a total allocation of RM700,000 through the implementation of the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) MADANI Adopted Village (KAM) and MADANI Adopted School (SAM) initiatives.

JKM director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the allocation comprised RM500,000 from the Ministry of Finance for infrastructure development, RM100,000 for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes and another RM100,000 specifically for the SAM inititive at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan SMK) Sungai Acheh.

He said the projects, implemented from July to October 2026, focused not only on developing physical facilities, but also on human capital development, skills and the economic potential of the local community.

“The KAM programme is a development approach that emphasises cooperation between the government and local communities in identifying their actual needs and implementing appropriate interventions.

“It is not just a development project, but a story of hope, spirit and transformation in shaping sustainable and prosperous lives,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the JKM MADANI Adopted Village Programme 2026 at Masjid al-Fatah Sungai Setar Besar, Sungai Acheh, here today.

He said the selection of Kampung Sungai Setar Besar as MADANI Adopted Village aligned perfectly with the village’s identity and uniqueness, as it continues to retain the characteristics of a traditional village, especially through rice cultivation and fishing activities.

“However, traditions should not be a barrier to progress. Instead, we need to combine the strengths of tradition with technology, innovation and moder skills so that the village community can continue to progress without losing its identity and cultural roots,” he said.

Che Murad Sayang said that under the Infrastructure Thrust, an allocation of RM314,000 channelled to the Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) District and Land Office had enabled five major projects to be completed.

He said the projects included the provision of a new prayer area and relocation of ‘kolah wuduk’ (ablution pool) at Masjid Al-Fatah for the comfort of the congregation, upgrading of the playgrounds at Kampung Sungai Setar Besar and Kampung Sungai Tok Tuntung, installation of awnings and sliding glass doors at Tabika Kemas Tanah Kebun and the construction of a landmark at Kampung Sungai Setar Besar.

For the SAM programme at SMK Sungai Acheh, he said JKM had upgraded various facilities, including the construction of a practical quail-rearing area, which now houses over 100 birds, as well as training students in slaughtering and processing for sale.

The programme also included the procurement of equipment for the “Sembang Bestari” podcast studio, information and communications technology (ICT) equipment and the provision of digital classrooms equipped with smartboards.

Commenting on youth empowerment, he said the TVET programme conducted by PERDA-TECH also successfully trained 25 PERDA-TECH students and 15 local youths through a three-hectare single-season paddy cultivation project, as well as training in drone and heavy machinery operations.

“The use of drones in the agricultural sector for seed sowing, fertilising and pesticide spraying can make farming processes faster, more precise and cost-effective, while also creating new employment and income opportunities for youths through drone rental services,” he said, adding that the rice crop is expected to be harvested in December.

In addition, he said the programme was enlivened by the JATI@KAM Programme, which involved 60 participants from the Community Service Order and Sekolah Tunas Bakti in Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Penang through gotong-royong activities to clean the mosque and the local cemetery.

-- BERNAMA