PERKIM Strengthens Ties Through Muhibbah Programme with the Orang Asli Community of Kampung Penderas

BY: MOHD. SYAHRIL ROSDI AHMAD ZAHUDI

KUALA KRAU, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 – The surau of Kampung Orang Asli Penderas came alive as it hosted the Muhibbah Multicultural Community Programme, jointly organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).

The initiative, held in collaboration with PERKIM Pahang and the Temerloh District Islamic Religious Department, brought together the community in a spirit of harmony and unity.

Programme coordinator, Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah, said the event was designed to serve as a bridge of goodwill between the Orang Asli community, religious agencies, da’wah organisations, and non-governmental bodies.

He explained that the primary objective was to expose the community to the importance of cooperation in community development while creating healthy interaction between residents and programme organisers.

“Through such initiatives, PERKIM and its partners aim to nurture love, compassion and mutual respect, ensuring that Malaysia’s diverse society continues to live in harmony,” he said.

The programme also sought to strengthen ties among Kampung Penderas villagers, the majority of whom are from the Jah Hut tribe numbering 317.

“This is not just an ordinary visit, but a holistic approach that includes home visits, communal clean-ups, sports, shared meals, and knowledge-sharing sessions that can benefit the community in the long run,” Ustaz Jais added.

He stressed that the programme aligns with PERKIM’s vision of reaching out to people of diverse backgrounds while fulfilling its da’wah responsibilities with wisdom.

As early as morning, the PERKIM National secretariat began preparations by purchasing materials to repair the surau’s toilets and gathering tools for the communal clean-up.

Fifty food packs were also prepared for Kampung Penderas residents, while PERKIM Pahang, led by Honorary Secretary Mahadi Deraman, contributed an additional 100 packs for distribution.

The gotong-royong activities not only strengthened ties between organisers and villagers but also reflected the spirit of solidarity at the heart of the Muhibbah Programme.

Before the visits began, Senator Shahrol Wizan Sulong, a Member of the Dewan Negara and Chairman of the Kampung Penderas Surau, briefed the delegation, advising members to observe good manners, be mindful of their words and actions, and avoid causing offence.

The delegation split into two groups and visited 10 households, bringing essential food items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, flour, sardines, milk, biscuits, tea, and other supplies, along with small contributions to ease family burdens.

Among those visited were Eadie A/L Sagarudin, 41, who is not yet Muslim and suffers from a head growth; Zainab Abdullah, 65, a kidney patient; retired teacher Sulaiman Putih, who recently embraced Islam but is now wheelchair-bound following a stroke; and Suhana Labah, a single mother raising a four-year-old child while coping with anxiety.

In the afternoon, the programme continued with a lively children’s sports session featuring activities such as sponge water relays, ping pong ball balancing, sack races, bottle bowling, and flour candy hunts.

The games, filled with laughter and joy, helped strengthen the bond between the organisers and Orang Asli children, further enlivening the village atmosphere.

After Maghrib prayers, PERKIM’s Senior Da’wah Executive, Dato’ Haji Razali Haji Shahabudin, representing PERKIM Honorary Secretary-General Dato’ Dr Haji Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, officiated the programme.

In his address, Dato’ Razali expressed gratitude for the success of the event, crediting the support of multiple parties.

He explained that this initiative formed part of PERKIM’s three-day “turun padang” (ground outreach) series across Pahang and Terengganu, covering three main events: engagement with the Chinese community in Kampung Bera, Pahang; an Orang Asli youth gathering in Kampung Sungai Pergam, Kemaman; and the Muhibbah Programme with the Orang Asli of Kampung Penderas.

Highlighting Kampung Penderas as the first Orang Asli village in Malaysia to host such a programme this year, he emphasised that the selection reflected the openness of the local community and MAIWP’s commitment, which allocated special provisions to ensure success in five to ten communities nationwide.

Temerloh District Qadhi, Ustaz Haji Abdul Aziz Abdul Karim, in his welcoming remarks, expressed gratitude for the smooth running of the programme. He extended appreciation to PERKIM, MAIWP, the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (UnIPSAS), local leaders, and villagers for their cooperation.

He noted that the Kampung Penderas Surau had received royal consent from the Sultan of Pahang and official approval from the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) to conduct Friday prayers, easing religious obligations for the community.

Looking ahead, he announced that the programme would continue with more activities including gotong-royong, Friday prayers, a communal feast, and a Jualan Rahmah (low-cost sale) on Friday and Saturday.

Encouraging education among the Orang Asli, Ustaz Abdul Aziz urged parents to enrol their children in Kelas Asas Fardu Ain (KAFA) and take advantage of free education at Sekolah Menengah Agama Negeri Pahang (SEMAN) up to Form Five.

“Education is the key to the future. We want our children to succeed, not just in this world but in the Hereafter,” he emphasised.

The evening concluded with Dato’ Razali presenting hampers to sports winners and a PERKIM plaque to Ustaz Abdul Aziz and Senator Shahrol Wizan.

PERKIM Pahang’s Honorary Secretary, Mahadi Deraman, also gifted an exclusive prayer mat for the surau’s imam.

The event ended with the distribution of 45 basic food packs by Ustaz Jais Mariappan, followed by a communal dinner.

Also present were Temerloh JAKOA Officer Muzamir Md Shukri, Kampung Penderas headman Fendi Yunus Seman, who also chairs the Pahang Islamic Headmen Council, along with PERKIM National Secretariat members Azura Abdul Rahman, Fatin Akmal Aksah, Farah Irisha Haslizam and Mohamad Fardly Johan.

Their presence completed a Muhibbah Programme that was not only festive but also deeply meaningful, fostering harmony, solidarity and shared values among the Orang Asli community and beyond.

The secretariat lifts sacks of rice purchased for distribution to the Orang Asli community of Kampung Penderas.

Bags of essential food supplies are loaded into a van for distribution to the Orang Asli residents of Kampung Penderas.

Food items purchased are unloaded from the van and placed in the surau’s storage area.

Volunteers work together to prepare the evening meal.

Senator Shahrol Wizan (centre) delivers a briefing before the home visits to the villagers

A prayer is recited before the visitation activities commence.

Ustaz Jais Mariappan hands over a food package and consolation to Eadie Sagarudin during the home visit.

Zainab Abdullah is visited by the delegation, including representatives from PERKIM Temerloh Branch.

Retired teacher Sulaiman Putih, seen in a wheelchair, receives consolation and food supplies from the visiting delegation.

The secretariat presents food items and consolation to Suhana Labah, a single mother.

The delegation pays their final visit to the home of Saadiah Tot, after delivering food supplies and consolation.

Following the visits, a children’s telematch session is held for the village youngsters.

The “ball-between-the-thighs” race proves to be one of the children’s favourite telematch games.

Temerloh Qadhi, Ustaz Abdul Aziz, urges villagers to prioritise education so their children may succeed both in this world and the Hereafter.

Villagers listen attentively to the speech delivered.

Women from the village also join in to hear the address delivered.

Dato’ Razali delivers his officiating speech on behalf of PERKIM’s Honorary Secretary-General.

According to Dato’ Razali, Kampung Penderas has been selected as the first location in Malaysia this year to host the Muhibbah Programme with the Orang Asli community.

Dato’ Razali presents food and consolation to the village headman (Tok Batin) of Kampung Penderas, Fendi Yunus Seman.

YB Senator Shahrol Wizan also distributes food and consolation to the villagers.

YB Senator Shahrol Wizan presents hampers to winners of the telematch competitions.

Dato’ Razali presents a PERKIM commemorative plaque to Ustaz Abdul Aziz.

Senator Shahrol Wizan receives a PERKIM commemorative plaque from Dato’ Razali.

Distinguished guests pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the programme.

Villagers enjoy the evening meal with their families.

The honoured guests partake in the communal dinner.

Villagers dine together in a communal setting following the officiating ceremony.

Ustaz Jais Mariappan distributes food supplies and financial consolation to the villagers.

Residents of Kampung Orang Asli Penderas receive food packages and financial consolation from Ustaz Jais Mariappan.