PERKIM’s Gotong-Royong and Welfare Visit Brings Warmth and Compassion to Seri Intan Elderly Care Centre

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

KLUANG, 29 NOVEMBER 2025 — A strong spirit of volunteerism and compassion shone brightly at the Gotong-Royong and Welfare Visit Programme jointly organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM National) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP).

Held with the cooperation of PERKIM Kluang Branch and the Malaysian Indian Reverts Association (MIRA) Johor, the programme took place on Saturday morning at the Seri Intan Elderly Care Centre in Taman Intan.

Starting as early as 9am, the initiative carried a profound message on the importance of safeguarding the welfare of ageing senior citizens who are increasingly frail and in need of attention.

PERKIM’s delegation was warmly welcomed by the Centre Operator, Sharmila Baskaran Abdullah, who manages the home with admirable resilience together with her assistant, Mercy A/P Radakrishnan.

PERKIM’s presence not only brought manpower for the communal cleaning activities but also joy and emotional comfort to the elderly residents through visits, prayers, and heartfelt gestures that deeply moved many of them.

Programme Coordinator, Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah, explained that the gotong-royong was part of PERKIM’s dakwah bil hal approach—promoting Islamic values through action rather than words.

According to him, welfare activities are not just routine tasks but a platform to cultivate a caring, compassionate society that is attentive to the needs of vulnerable individuals.

Ustaz Jais added that the programme provided participants with firsthand experience of the challenges faced by the elderly, giving them greater appreciation of the responsibilities involved in caring for the weak and neglected.

He stressed that the cleaning activities not only improved physical comfort but also nurtured respect and affection towards senior citizens who are living out their final years.

The encouraging participation, particularly from new Muslim converts, demonstrated growing public awareness of the importance of welfare work. Such programmes, he said, help shape noble character, especially among youth and reverts who are still learning the meaning of ihsan in Islam.

The effort also helped strengthen the bond between people of various ethnic backgrounds, further promoting Islam’s message as a religion of mercy for all.

More than 25 volunteers participated in the programme, combining their efforts to clean the centre, sweep and mop floors, trim grass, prune trees, paint fences and walls, and beautify the surrounding compound. Several new reverts also joined in, using the event as a bridge to integrate more closely with the local community. The cheerful atmosphere brought fresh vibrancy to the previously modest care centre.

According to Sharmila, the centre currently houses 30 residents from Chinese, Malay, Indian, Portuguese and Sikh backgrounds. Of the total, 16 are permanent residents, while the rest are cared for during the daytime by arrangement with their families.

The residents, aged between 60 and 98 suffer from ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and various chronic illnesses. Some are bedridden and require intensive long-term care.

Sharmila and Mercy manage the residents’ daily needs, including meal preparation, feeding assistance, personal hygiene, medical care, medication management and continuous monitoring for those in critical condition. Mercy, with nine years of experience in elderly care, plays an instrumental role in ensuring the residents receive attention according to their health needs.

A simple opening ceremony was held, emceed by PERKIM National Administrative Executive, Fatin Akmal Aksah, followed by welcoming remarks from PERKIM Kluang Branch Chairman, Ustaz Mohd Zabri Kamdi.

In his speech, Ustaz Zabri said the gotong-royong not only brightened the centre’s surroundings but also strengthened the spirit of unity among participants from diverse backgrounds. He apologised for any shortcomings during the event and expressed gratitude that everything proceeded smoothly.

He further conveyed appreciation to all parties involved, acknowledging the visible transformation of the elderly care centre, which now appeared more cheerful and welcoming.

In his officiating remarks, PERKIM National Senior Dakwah Executive, YBhg Dato’ Haji Razali Haji Shahabudin, emphasised that PERKIM’s contributions were made within its means.

Representing PERKIM’s Honorary Secretary-General, YBhg Dato’ Dr Haji Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, he said that although the aid was modest, he hoped it would help ease the centre’s burdens and benefit its residents.

He also expressed appreciation to PERKIM Kluang Branch for its strong commitment and reaffirmed that the bond between the national and branch levels would continue to be strengthened.

According to him, every act of charity, no matter how small, becomes a lasting amal jariah for a person even after death.

Dato’ Razali also clarified that Islam never teaches reverts to sever ties with their non-Muslim families. Instead, Islam promotes love, respect and preservation of family relationships. He invited everyone to pray for the well-being of Sharmila and her husband, commending their courage in caring for the elderly regardless of race or religion, an embodiment of Islam as rahmatan lil ‘alamin (a mercy to all creation).

After his speech, Dato’ Razali, accompanied by Ustaz Zabri, visited the residents, enquired about their well-being, and presented food contributions such as oats, biscuits and milk.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of a PERKIM commemorative plaque and the “Warisan dan Wawasan 60 Tahun PERKIM” book by Dato’ Razali to Sharmila as a mark of appreciation. Ustaz Zabri also handed over a financial token from PERKIM Kluang Branch to support the centre’s operations.

The programme concluded with a group photo session followed by lunch.

Among the secretariat present were Ustaz Amran Anbarasu Abdullah, Azura Abdul Rahman, Mualish Shah Haji Mohd Anuar, Ustaz Mohd Shafiq Vijaya Abdullah and Ustaz Muhammad Rosyam Abdullah.

 

The Seri Intan Elderly Care Centre in Kluang served as the venue for PERKIM’s gotong-royong activities and visit to its residents.

 

Ustaz Jais Mariappan joined residents in cleaning and trimming overgrown shrubs outside the centre.

 

PERKIM Kluang committee members carried out grass-cutting work around the care centre.

 

Ustaz Zabri replanted flowering plants and loosened the soil before applying fertiliser.

 

Ustaz Jais Mariappan chopped down overgrown trees outside the elderly care centre.

 

Fatin Aksah disposed of rubbish after sweeping the surrounding compound.

 

Ustaz Zabri pruned and beautified the flowering plants within the care centre’s grounds.

 

Mualish Shah and Azura repainted the long-rusted fence.

 

Dato’ Razali took the opportunity to assist in repainting the centre’s fence.

 

Ustaz Amran also helped with repainting the fence.

 

Sharmila (second from right) explained that the care centre currently houses 30 residents comprising Chinese, Malay, Indian, Portuguese and Singh communities.

 

Dato’ Razali visited Sharmila’s husband, one of the individuals who helped run the centre, and who is now bedridden due to complications from diabetes.

 

Dato’ Razali and Ustaz Zabri presented food aid to a resident of Chinese descent.

 

Dato’ Razali and Ustaz Zabri took time to visit residents while distributing food items such as oat cereals, biscuits and milk.

 

As a gesture of compassion, Ustaz Jais Mariappan fed one of the Malay residents.

 

Dato’ Razali also fed a bedridden Indian resident.

 

Fatin Akmal emceed the officiating ceremony following the gotong-royong and visitation activities.

 

According to Ustaz Zabri, the programme not only brightened the centre’s surroundings but also reflected PERKIM’s commitment and concern for the elderly.

 

Representing PERKIM’s Honorary Secretary-General, Dato’ Razali delivered the officiating address during the programme.

 

Dato’ Razali noted that every charitable act, no matter how small, remains a lasting deed even after one passes away.

 

“Islam encourages love, respect and family ties,” said Dato’ Razali.

 

Dato’ Razali presented food aid to an elderly resident of Chinese descent.

 

An elderly Indian resident received food assistance from Dato’ Razali.

 

Dato’ Razali distributed food items such as oats, milk and biscuits to the elderly residents.

 

Elderly individuals who do not reside at the care centre also received food aid from Dato’ Razali.

 

Dato’ Razali presented a PERKIM commemorative plaque to Sharmila as a token of appreciation.

 

PERKIM National leadership, PERKIM Kluang representatives and new Muslim converts took the opportunity to capture a group photograph with the residents.