Kampung Melayu MPKK clinches excellence award in northeast district

KAMPUNG Melayu Village Community Management Council (MPKK) emerged as the champion in the Penang northeast disrict MPKK competition.

Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng commended the team for being proactive in coming up with various initiatives for the community as well as generating income to run their programmes.

“One of the most outstanding qualities of the team is their resourcefulness; they generate their own income through the rental money collected from the stalls at markets (night and morning markets).

“I believe Kampung Melayu is the only MPKK which is helping the lower income group (B40) on monthly basis. Each month 20 to 30 families will receive household provisions from our team.

“The Kampung Melayu MPKK members are highly committed to carrying out their duties such as overseeing the mini gym, taking care of the food bank programme (Mutiara Food Bank) as well as conducting tuition classes,’’ Ng told a press conference after the award presentation ceremony today.

The Kampung Melayu MPKK comes under Ng’s constituency.

Its chairman Abdul Aziz Buhari, 52, said it was teamwork that brought them victory and the desire to serve the community that kept them  inspired.

“It would not have been possible without the team spirit shown by our committee members, and we always ensure that help is given to the needy residents irrespective of race and religion.

“At the same time, I also would like to thank YB Joseph for his tremendous support which is instrumental in enabling us to do the needful for the community,’’ added Aziz.

The competition saw the participation of teams from MPKK Jalan Masjid Negeri, MPKK Kampung Bharu, MPKK Taman Hijau, MPKK Lebuh Chulia, MPKK Pykett Avenue/Jalan Northam, MPKK Desa Permata, MPKK Bandar Baru Jelutong, MPKK Taman West Jelutong and MPKK Tanjung Bungah.

Lebuh Chulia MPKK and Desa Pertama MPKK were adjuded second and third respectively.

Lebuh Chulia MPKK chairman Oh Seng Yin said her team, which consisted of 15 members, would keep giving their best to the community.

“Our main objective is to assist the community in whichever way we could. For instance, during the MCO (movement control order) our team distributed food packages to the residents in our area.

“Prior to the pandemic, we had also organised programmes to empower women in many aspects such as in their career and family,’’ added Oh.

Desa Permata MPKK chairman Ong Swee Jin said his committee has been actively organising programmes, focusing on the importance of health.

“We have collaborated with Community Emergency Response Team Georgetown to organise educational programmes, such as on learning to use the automated external defibrillator (AED).

“Apart from that, we also have our own paramedics,’’ added Ong.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who was the guest of honour at the event, said the state government appreciated the contributions of the MPKKs which played pivotal roles during the MCO implemented in March.

“The state government has allocated a total of RM1.8 million to be given as incentives to all the MPKKs which were involved in helping the community during the MCO. Each will receive RM300.

“We are doing this to honour and recognise the contributions of MPKKs for being at the frontline to serve the community during the pandemic,’’ said Zakiyuddin.

Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud