Mahabbah Community Clean-Up Strengthens Unity Among Kampung Sungai Puntar Residents

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

BEDONG, JUNE 25, 2026 – The spirit of unity and harmony among Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious communities was further strengthened through the Mahabbah Community Clean-Up Programme for the Indian Multi-Ethnic Community of Kampung Sungai Puntar, held at the village’s multipurpose hall here on Thursday afternoon.

The programme, jointly organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), was conducted with the cooperation of PERKIM Kedah State Division, PERKIM Kuala Muda District Branch and the Kedah chapter of the Malaysian Indian Muslim Converts Welfare and Da’wah Association (Al-Hidayah).

The clean-up initiative formed part of the three-day Mahabbah Community Outreach Programme in Kampung Sungai Puntar, aimed at strengthening social bonds, fostering togetherness and promoting mutual respect among residents from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

Programme coordinator, Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah, said PERKIM’s presence in the village, together with its strategic partners, was not merely to carry out cleaning activities but also to serve as a platform for strengthening ties among communities of different faiths and cultures.

He said the programme demonstrated that Malaysians are capable of living peacefully and harmoniously while respecting one another despite differences in religion and ethnicity.

“Our primary objective is to foster closer relationships and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among local residents. Alhamdulillah, despite the community comprising people of various faiths and ethnic backgrounds, they live together in an atmosphere of tolerance, mutual respect and cooperation,” he said.

Muhammad Jais, who is also PERKIM National Da’wah Executive I, expressed appreciation to the village head and committee members for their commitment and cooperation in ensuring the programme’s success from the planning stage.

During the programme, participants were divided into two teams. One group carried out cleaning and maintenance works at the Kampung Sungai Puntar Multipurpose Hall, while the other focused on the village surau.

At the community hall, volunteers worked together to cut grass, rake and collect dried leaves, clear drains, remove cobwebs, mop floors, clean windows, wipe chairs and reorganise facilities to ensure a cleaner and more conducive environment for public use.

At the surau, volunteers undertook landscaping and cleaning works, including trimming trees and overgrown vegetation, cleaning the surrounding compound, washing floors and ablution areas, laundering curtains, arranging copies of the Quran and cleaning ceiling fans to create a more pleasant and comfortable place of worship.

Meanwhile, PERKIM Kuala Muda District Branch chairman, Ustaz Imron Kochem Haji Ahmad, described the programme as a reflection of the strong cooperation between Islamic non-governmental organisations and local communities in carrying out welfare and community-based initiatives.

“Alhamdulillah, today we joined hands with village residents to conduct clean-up activities at two important community facilities—the multipurpose hall and the surau. The commitment shown by all participants was truly commendable in ensuring both venues become cleaner and more comfortable for public use.

“We also wish to express our appreciation to PERKIM National and MAIWP for their full support in making this programme a success. May this modest effort be accepted by Allah SWT as a blessed charitable deed,” he said.

Muhammad Jais added that the clean-up programme marked the first day of the Mahabbah outreach series, which would continue with community sports activities and door-to-door visits aimed at delivering welfare assistance entrusted by MAIWP to needy residents.

He noted that the support and cooperation extended by local residents, including non-Muslims, reflected how humanitarian values and good neighbourliness can serve as a strong bridge for unity in Malaysia’s plural society.

“The beauty of Malaysia lies in the ability of its people to live together in harmony despite differences in religion and ethnicity. Programmes such as this provide an excellent platform to strengthen the peace and harmony that we have long enjoyed,” he said.

Among those participating in the clean-up were PERKIM National Deputy Finance Executive Azura Abdul Rahman; Assistant Da’wah Executive I Ustaz Haji Amran Anbarasu Abdullah; Assistant Da’wah Executive II Ustazah Siti Fatimah Ladda Abdullah; Administrative Assistant Fatin Akmal Aksah; and Muhamad Fardly Johan.

Also present were PERKIM Kedah State Division Deputy Executive Hazirah Azmi; PERKIM Kedah State Division Administrative Assistant Akmal Azram Abu Zarim; PERKIM Kuala Muda District Branch Honorary Treasurer Haji Abdul Raof Md. Zain; Assistant Secretary Ustazah Juhana Halimah Johari; and members of the branch committee.

Representing Al-Hidayah Kedah were its secretary, Ustaz Mohd Firdaus Abdullah, and treasurer, Ustazah Nurasiqin Abdullah.

The programme also received strong support from Kampung Sungai Puntar village head Anbalagan Wirasamy, together with village committee members Mohan Raja Perumal, Uthiyakumar Ramachandran and Mohd. Rozi Mat, who worked alongside volunteers throughout the activity.

The participation of individuals from various organisations and backgrounds highlighted the enduring values of consensus, tolerance and solidarity, demonstrating how these principles can serve as the foundation for building a harmonious society. The programme also underscored the continuing role of PERKIM and MAIWP in advancing welfare initiatives and strengthening social cohesion across the nation.

PERKIM, Al-Hidayah and residents of Kampung Sungai Puntar joined forces in a community clean-up programme to clean the surroundings of the community hall, the hall interior and the village surau.

Volunteers unloaded cleaning equipment from their vehicles before commencing the clean-up activities.

Fatimah Ladda washes and rinses chairs in the community hall that had accumulated dust over a long period.

Jais Mariappan removes weeds growing inside a drainage channel.

Azura wipes and cleans dusty and soiled chairs.

Fardly Johan, Amran Anbarasu and Fatin Akmal wash, scrub and rinse the floor of the community hall during the clean-up activity.

Aizuddin carries away tree branches that had been cut down for disposal.

Juhana Halimah and Najwa clean the floor of the village surau.

Members of PERKIM Kuala Muda clean the surau by removing cobwebs from ceiling fans and vacuuming the prayer hall carpet.

Cut branches and overgrown vegetation are removed from the surau compound for disposal.

The clean-up team comprising volunteers from PERKIM Kedah and PERKIM Kuala Muda poses for a group photograph with village residents after completing the cleaning works at the surau.

Jais Mariappan cuts overgrown grass around the Kampung Sungai Puntar community hall.

Cut grass and fallen leaves are gathered and collected before being disposed of.