Raja of Perlis launches village transformation programme

KUALA PERLIS, April 4 -- The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail today launched the Village Transformation Programme in Kampung Seberang Ramai, which is expected to be a new attraction in the state.

Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Lalilatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil as well as their children Puteri Sharifah Khatreena Nuraniah and Puteri Sharifah Farah Adriana were also in attendance while Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man his state exco members were also present.

The Ruler also visited the seven villages involved in the transformation programme, namely Kampung Baru Seberang, Kampung Tandiap, Kampung Hujung Tanjong, Kampung Tengah, Kampung Seberang Alor, Kampung Seberang Jaya and Kampung Pulau Ketam.

Meanwhile, state Tourism Committee chairman Asmaiza Ahmad said the programme, which began at the end of last year involving 184 houses, was seen as capable of elevating the villages involved as a new tourism product, known as Rumah Pelangi, in the state.

“The initiative, under the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs) as well as Yayasan Taunku Syed Putra Perlis (YTSP), has made the villages brighter, cleaner and indirectly helped to develop the economy in these areas,” she told reporters today.

 One of the residents of Kampung Seberang Alor, 66-year-old Hatijah Halim, who has lived there for over three decades, was excited with the changes in the village, saying that what once looked like a dilapidated fishermen's squatter area had now become more harmonious and beautiful, thanks to the vibrant colours which give it a different vibe.

Fisherman Hussin Abu Samah, 56, concurred, saying that he was also proud to see tourists taking pictures of his house, which had been beautifully repainted.

-- BERNAMA