Harmony Dialogue Strengthens Ties Between Siamese and Malay Communities In Kampung Behor Gelam

𝙗𝙮: 𝙈𝙊𝙃𝘿. 𝙎𝙔𝘼𝙃𝙍𝙄𝙇 𝙍𝙊𝙎𝘿𝙄 𝘼𝙃𝙈𝘼𝘿 𝙕𝘼𝙃𝙐𝘿𝙄

ARAU, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 — Differences in religion, culture and ethnicity should never be a barrier to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. Instead, diversity should be embraced as a strength that enriches harmony within Malaysia’s multicultural society.

This message was underscored at the Harmony Dialogue held under the Mahabbah Programme for the Siamese Multicultural Community in Kampung Behor Gelam, jointly organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) National and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) at the grounds of the Kampung Behor Gelam Multipurpose Hall here on Sunday afternoon.

Organised in collaboration with PERKIM Perlis, the programme marked the culmination of a series of activities bringing together the Siamese and Malay communities through communal work, recreational games, goodwill visits and dialogue sessions aimed at fostering mutual understanding and strengthening neighbourhood ties.

The Harmony Dialogue was moderated by PERKIM Perlis Deputy Executive Officer Abdulmubeen Yanya, with Kampung Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) secretary Dara Tim as panellist. The discussion centred on the theme, “Harmony and Life in Society”.

Among the key issues discussed was the need to develop joint activities that could engage young people from the Siamese, Malay and other communities, irrespective of their religious, cultural or ethnic backgrounds.

Sports were identified as an effective means of bringing people together, with football, sepak takraw and fishing among the activities that could encourage greater interaction across communities.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of creating more inclusive community programmes that would allow young people to interact, get to know one another and build friendships in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Dara shared her experiences of community life in Perlis, where people from different backgrounds have demonstrated a strong spirit of solidarity, particularly when confronting adversity such as floods and other natural disasters.

She said religious and ethnic differences were set aside in times of crisis, as members of the community came together to assist those in need.

She also stressed that efforts to preserve harmony must begin within the family, with parents serving as their children’s first teachers.

According to her, parents play a crucial role in guiding their children on how to interact with others, respect differences and understand appropriate behaviour when living alongside people of different religions and cultures.

The dialogue concluded that harmony in Kampung Behor Gelam rests on mutual respect, compassion, a willingness to help one another and openness towards peaceful coexistence. These values are essential to sustaining and strengthening bonds among the Siamese, Malay and wider village communities.

In her welcoming remarks on behalf of JPKKP chairman Chuntian Eam, Dara expressed her appreciation to PERKIM National, MAIWP and PERKIM Perlis for organising a programme that provided opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to interact more closely.

She said activities such as communal clean-up efforts, recreational games, visits to residents’ homes and the Harmony Dialogue had created a friendly atmosphere while strengthening the bonds of fellowship among villagers.

Programme Coordinator, Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah, speaking on behalf of PERKIM Honorary Secretary Datuk Dr Haji Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, said the initiative was made possible through funding support from MAIWP to PERKIM to conduct community engagement activities in Kampung Behor Gelam.

He said the programme was designed to nurture ukhuwah (bonds of brotherhood and fellowship) while providing an opportunity for the organisers to better understand the lives and experiences of the local community.

Jais described the villagers’ reception of the PERKIM delegation as exceptionally warm and heartening, particularly during the communal activities on the first day of the programme.

Residents from different ethnic and religious backgrounds had worked side by side to clean the surrounding areas, collect accumulated rubbish and tidy up the multipurpose hall.

“Although we come from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, once we arrived here, as Puan Dara mentioned, religion and ethnicity were put aside. We live together on the basis of our shared humanity, helping and supporting one another regardless of race or ethnicity,” he said.

He also commended the villagers for not only participating in the scheduled activities but also assisting the PERKIM delegation during its house-to-house goodwill visits.

The hospitality extended by the residents, he said, made the delegation feel as though it had been welcomed into an extended family, despite it being their first visit to the area.

Jais said the experience demonstrated how relationships between communities could be built through personal encounters, open communication and a willingness to understand one another.

He expressed hope that the friendships established through the Mahabbah Programme would continue beyond the three-day initiative, with further activities organised in the future.

He also thanked PERKIM Perlis, particularly its management team, officers, staff and volunteers, for their dedication and hard work in ensuring the programme ran smoothly.

PERKIM Perlis Secretary, Haji Abdul Shukor Shamsuddin, delivering his speech at the closing ceremony on behalf of PERKIM Perlis chairman Datuk Haji Khairi Hasan, expressed his gratitude to PERKIM National for selecting Perlis as the venue for the Mahabbah Programme.

He said Kampung Behor Gelam had been selected following discussions with several communities and local representatives to identify a suitable location for the initiative.

Initially, there had been concerns over whether the local community would welcome the PERKIM delegation. However, those concerns proved unfounded when residents responded enthusiastically to the programme.

Shukor said Malaysians had long lived in a multicultural society comprising Malays, Siamese, Indians, Chinese and various other ethnic groups.

“Even when we know that someone is Muslim, Thai, Chinese or from another ethnic group, we continue to respect one another. We can sit together at the same coffee shop, socialise and go about our daily lives as a peaceful community,” he said.

He described Malaysia’s diversity as a unique national asset that must be preserved, likening it to a tree bearing different kinds of fruit, each with its own distinct taste, yet growing from the same tree.

Shukor said participation in the communal clean-up, recreational games and goodwill visits had been encouraging, with residents even volunteering to help coordinate participants and provide the necessary facilities.

He expressed hope that the relationships forged during the programme would be strengthened through more follow-up initiatives that would bring lasting benefits to the local community.

He also conveyed greetings from PERKIM Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, who was unable to attend the closing ceremony to officiate the programme due to important commitments in Kuala Lumpur. Khairi was also unable to attend because of health reasons.

Shukor said the strong spirit of cooperation demonstrated by villagers, including parents and children who participated in the recreational games, showed how community activities could bridge differences and bring people closer together.

Drawing on his experience in community welfare work in Perlis, he said assistance had consistently been extended to people regardless of their ethnicity or religion, particularly during natural disasters, fires and health emergencies, as well as in addressing educational needs and supporting persons with disabilities.

Jais Mariappan subsequently presented PERKIM appreciation plaques to Shukor, Dara Tim and Mohd Dali Jusoh in recognition of their contributions.

Recreational activities bring generations together

Following the Harmony Dialogue, the closing ceremony, hosted by Fatin Akmal Aksah, continued with the presentation of prizes to the winners of the recreational games.

Children competed in events including carrying a table tennis ball on a spoon, musical chairs and a three-legged race.

Women’s events included threading a needle, musical chairs, tearing paper to produce the longest strip, coconut bowling and sorting pulses.

The men’s category featured musical chairs, coconut bowling and sorting pulses.

The activities unfolded in a lively and cheerful atmosphere, with residents of different ages participating enthusiastically and encouraging one another throughout the competitions.

The programme concluded with a group photograph with Kampung Behor Gelam residents, followed by fried noodles and afternoon refreshments for participants.

Also present were PERKIM Perlis honorary treasurer Haji Mohd Arshad Daud and Perlis Community Management Committee (MPKKP) committee chairman Mohd Dali Jusoh.

The programme was supported by the organising secretariat comprising Hashimah Hashim, Azura Abdul Rahman, Fatin Akmal Aksah, Ain Naszurien Abdul Kamal and Nazri Osman, together with PERKIM Perlis committee members and volunteers.

Turning the spirit of harmony into action

Held over three days, the Mahabbah Programme for the Siamese Multicultural Community in Kampung Behor Gelam demonstrated that harmony is more than a slogan; it can be translated into meaningful action through collective efforts to clean shared spaces, visits to neighbours’ homes, shared enjoyment of recreational activities and open dialogue.

In a society characterised by religious, cultural and ethnic diversity, mutual respect, compassion and a willingness to help others serve as bridges connecting people from all walks of life.

Such efforts are vital to nurturing peaceful coexistence, strengthening community bonds and ensuring that the spirit of unity continues to flourish among the residents of Kampung Behor Gelam and beyond.

The Harmony Dialogue was moderated by Abdulmubeen Yanya, with Dara Tim as panellist, under the theme “Harmony and Life in Society”.

 

Residents of Kampung Behor Gelam attended the session to learn more about fostering harmony within the community.

 

The dialogue explored ways to engage young people from the Siamese, Malay and other communities, regardless of their religious, cultural or ethnic backgrounds.

 

Dara also shared her experiences of community life in Perlis, highlighting the spirit of mutual assistance, particularly during difficult times such as floods and other natural disasters.

 

The discussion also emphasised the important role of parents in guiding their children on how to interact with others and show respect within a multicultural and multi-religious community.

 

Harmony in Kampung Behor Gelam is built on mutual respect, a willingness to help others, care for one another and openness towards peaceful coexistence.

 

Fatin Akmal hosted the closing ceremony of the Mahabbah Programme for the Siamese Multicultural Community in Kampung Behor Gelam.

 

In his speech on behalf of PERKIM’s Honorary Secretary-General, Jais Mariappan described the villagers’ reception of the PERKIM delegation as exceptionally warm and heartening, particularly their active participation from the first day of the programme.

 

He also expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the villagers for assisting with the delegation’s house-to-house goodwill visits.

 

Haji Abdul Shukor described Malaysia’s multicultural diversity as a unique national asset that must be preserved.

 

Haji Shukor said the strong spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the villagers, including the participation of parents and children in the recreational games, showed how community activities could strengthen relationships regardless of background.

 

Jais Mariappan presented a PERKIM appreciation plaque to Haji Abdul Shukor.

 

Dara received a commemorative plaque from PERKIM, presented by Jais Mariappan.

 

Jais Mariappan presented a PERKIM commemorative plaque to Mohd Dali Jusoh, chairman of the Perlis State Federal Village Community Management Council (MPKKP).

 

Village volunteer Aisyah Abdullah also received a PERKIM commemorative plaque from programme coordinator Jais Mariappan.

 

Children from the village won prizes in the spoon-and-table-tennis-ball race during the recreational games.

 

Haji Abdul Shukor presented prizes to the children who emerged victorious in the musical chairs competition.

 

Winners of the musical chairs competition received their prizes from Haji Abdul Shukor.

 

Winners of the coconut bowling competition received their prizes from Haji Abdul Shukor.

 

Haji Abdul Shukor presented prizes to the winners of the needle-threading competition.

 

 

Winners of the coconut bowling competition received their prizes from Haji Abdul Shukor.

 

Haji Shukor presented prizes to the winners of the musical chairs competition.

 

Representatives from PERKIM National and PERKIM Perlis posed for a commemorative photograph with residents of Kampung Behor Gelam at the conclusion of the programme.

 

The organising secretariat from PERKIM National and PERKIM Perlis joined volunteers in capturing a memorable moment, striking their own cheerful poses for the camera.

 

Selected villagers signed the acknowledgement forms upon receiving consolation gifts sponsored by MAIWP.

 

Members of the organising secretariat enjoyed afternoon refreshments after the programme concluded.

 

Tatawud received a token of appreciation sponsored by MAIWP from the organising secretariat.