Santuni MADANI: MIDA CSR Initiative Helps Bridge Urban-Rural Gap

TAPAH, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Santuni MADANI corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in Kampung Cegar here, serves as a key platform to bridge the development gap between urban and rural communities.

MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid said the programme was part of the One Leader, One Village initiative, which provided a platform for MIDA management and staff to engage with villagers, offer assistance, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the local community.

“This programme, which involves over 400 villagers, is the first of its kind in the village. Since 2024, three earlier initiatives have been held, covering a Packaging Design and Marketing seminar, a career motivation programme for SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) leavers and a charity programme.

“Our main objective is to listen to the rural residents’ concerns so that government agencies and departments can better understand the real issues in the village and explore ways to provide assistance,” he told Bernama when met at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Syeikh Abdul Ghani near here yesterday.

Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim said MIDA not only plays a role in attracting quality investments to Malaysia, but also assumes responsibility for enhancing the social and economic well-being of the community

“CSR programmes like this demonstrate our commitment to engage with the grassroots community, meet the needs of the people, and ensure that the benefits of national development reach all levels of society,” he said.

In addition to community engagement, Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim said MIDA planned to introduce residents to digital entrepreneurship and online business opportunities, aiming to position Kampung Cegar as a pioneer in the smart village concept.

“Although the allocation of infrastructure is not within our jurisdiction, MIDA is ready to act as a facilitator with relevant agencies to ensure local issues are properly addressed,” he said.

He said the two-day programme, which began last Saturday and was organised by the MIDA Club, MIDA Golf Club and MIDA Cooperative (KOMIDA) in collaboration with the Kampung Cegar Village Development and Security Committee, featured a variety of activities, including health programmes, people’s sports and traditional games, business briefings, and ‘wayang pacak’ screenings.

“All segments of society, from young children to senior citizens, can take part, as this provides an opportunity to foster a sense of belonging. It shows that MIDA’s CSR efforts are genuinely beneficial, not merely symbolic,” he said.

Meanwhile, JPKK Kampung Cegar chairman Lokman Mohamed Ali expressed his appreciation for the programme, describing it as having a positive impact on the rural community.

He said the programme helped strengthen ties between residents and government agencies while providing a platform for villagers to highlight their ongoing basic infrastructure needs.

“For example, the business briefings held through this programme were new to me and gave residents a better understanding of ways to generate income through entrepreneurship.

“As a representative of the residents, I hope such initiatives will continue, as they contribute to strengthening the village economy and enhancing the well-being of the local community,” he said.

MIDA continues to play a key role in driving investment development in Perak, thereby strengthening the state’s position as a strategic investment destination to attract both foreign and domestic investments and create job opportunities, particularly for its residents.

-- BERNAMA