PERKIM-MAIWP Harmony Dialogue Strengthens Bonds with Pulau Ketam’s Chinese Community
by: MOHD SYAHRIL ROSDI AHMAD ZAHUDI
KLANG, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 — The spirit of unity in diversity was further strengthened when the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) National, in collaboration with the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), hosted the Dialog Harmoni as part of the Mahabbah Komuniti Masyarakat Majmuk Cina Pulau Ketam programme at the Bagan Pulau Ketam Community Hall here on Sunday morning.
Held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, the programme served not only as a platform for sharing knowledge and perspectives, but also underscored PERKIM’s grassroots approach in building bridges of understanding with communities of diverse backgrounds through communication, welfare initiatives and face-to-face engagement.
As early as 8am, the organising team took the opportunity to reach out to residents by providing fried rice and beverages to members of the public and participants passing by the community hall.
The simple gesture reflected the spirit of mahabbah — the programme’s underlying principle of engaging communities regardless of race or religious background through acts of compassion and genuine human connection.
The programme was held with the cooperation of PERKIM Selangor State Division, PERKIM Klang Branch and Balai Islam Pulau Ketam.
Among the PERKIM National Secretariat personnel involved were Mohd Aizat Rosli, Hashimah Hashim, Azura Abdul Rahman, Rohaiza Mohd Tan, Mu’alish Shah Mohd Anuar, Muhammad Aidil Aqel Mohd Yusoff and Muhammad Faiz Hasnain Lokman.
PERKIM Selangor State Division was represented by Ustaz Mohd Yusoff Haji Ahmad, Muhammad Hizam Abdul Rahim, Haji Mohd Subki Abdul Rahman and Hajah Umaizah Abdullah, together with several volunteers.
In welcoming participants to the dialogue, Balai Islam Pulau Ketam chairman Cikgu Mohd Anas Abdul Manan expressed his appreciation to PERKIM National and PERKIM Selangor for making the effort to spend three days and two nights engaging with the Pulau Ketam community.
He said programmes of this nature should be continued as they provided outsiders with an opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the culture, way of life and realities faced by the Pulau Ketam community.
He also encouraged residents to fill the hall and take the opportunity to engage PERKIM representatives in an informal dialogue, including raising questions, sharing views and highlighting issues that could be addressed collectively.
The highlight of the programme was the Dialog Harmoni, conducted entirely in Mandarin by Pulau Ketam Secretary Cherry Chew Sze En and moderated by PERKIM National Dakwah Executive Ustaz Sulaiman Ding Yu Zhong.
Cherry Chew urged Pulau Ketam residents to view history as a bridge connecting civilisations and communities from different backgrounds.
Among the historical aspects she touched on was the arrival of Islam in China during the Tang Dynasty, as well as the centuries-old historical links between China and the Malay Archipelago, including the role of renowned Ming Dynasty maritime figure Zheng He, also known as Admiral Cheng Ho, whose voyages remain an important symbol of historical ties between the two regions.
Cherry also stressed that harmony within a community could not be achieved solely through the efforts of leaders or village committees, but must instead be built through the collective participation of the entire community.
She said relationships between community leaders and residents should be continuously strengthened through open communication, a willingness to listen to different perspectives and the courage to raise questions in the interest of the common good.
In the context of Pulau Ketam, she said, such a spirit was vital in enabling residents to work together to safeguard the village’s development, cleanliness, safety and overall well-being.
She emphasised that differences in religion, race and culture should not become barriers separating communities, but should instead be embraced as strengths that contribute to Malaysia’s diverse national identity.
The Dialog Harmoni also provided residents with an opportunity to raise questions directly and informally with PERKIM representatives, demonstrating how mutual understanding could be nurtured when communities were willing to sit together, listen to one another and show mutual respect.
Such an approach, she said, was essential in ensuring that Pulau Ketam continued to thrive as a peaceful, friendly and supportive community.
Following the dialogue, master of ceremonies Fatin Akmal Aksah proceeded with the closing ceremony.
Meanwhile, Pulau Ketam Village Head Ts. Richard Wang Kheng Hwa expressed his appreciation to PERKIM, non-governmental organisations and volunteers who contributed to the success of the programme.
He said PERKIM’s presence on the island had provided residents with access to various forms of assistance and services, while simultaneously strengthening ties between the local community and the organisation.
According to Richard, PERKIM had also consistently organised community initiatives in Pulau Ketam, including activities held in conjunction with Chinese New Year as well as programmes related to Aidilfitri and Aidiladha.
He said Pulau Ketam residents, particularly those from lower-income households, greatly appreciated the presence of non-governmental organisations willing to engage with them directly at the grassroots level.
“The people of Pulau Ketam are very proud and appreciative of contributions such as these. They always look forward to programmes that can benefit the community here,” he said.
Richard also commended the role of Balai Islam Pulau Ketam, led by Cikgu Mohd Anas, in supporting various community activities, including welfare initiatives, gotong-royong, health screenings, home visits to both Muslim and non-Muslim residents, as well as activities for children.
He said programmes such as these provided an important platform for residents to get to know one another, strengthen relationships and foster a stronger spirit of unity within the island’s diverse community.
Programme coordinator Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah said the three-day, two-night programme had provided the PERKIM delegation with a meaningful opportunity to gain a closer understanding of life in Pulau Ketam.
He said the programme began with gotong-royong activities at two homes belonging to residents, many of whom depended on fishing and other forms of maritime work, followed by cleaning activities at Balai Islam and the Community Hall.
“Alhamdulillah, throughout the programme, we witnessed excellent cooperation from the local community, including members of the police force and representatives from the Pulau Ketam Health Clinic,” said Ustaz Jais Mariappan, who is also PERKIM National Dakwah Executive 1.
He said representatives from the health clinic also delivered a briefing on the importance of kidney health as part of the programme’s activities.
Jais also emphasised that the main contributions for the programme came from MAIWP, including food baskets and cash assistance for residents in need.
He said the positive response from the community would be documented in a report for consideration in planning future programmes.
“Insya-Allah, if we receive the necessary support and allocation next year, we hope to return to Pulau Ketam with a more structured programme that can bring even greater benefits to the community,” he said.
PERKIM Selangor State Division Deputy Chairman 1, Tuan Haji Hushim Haji Salleh, who officiated the closing ceremony, also expressed his appreciation to the people of Pulau Ketam for welcoming the PERKIM delegation so warmly.
Haji Hushim, who is also a PERKIM National Council member, said PERKIM’s engagement with the Pulau Ketam community was not merely about distributing assistance, but represented a broader effort to forge closer and sustained human connections regardless of religious or racial background.
He said grassroots engagement was particularly important as relationships between communities could not be built solely through formal meetings, but needed to be nurtured through direct interaction, welfare activities, gotong-royong, home visits and programmes involving the wider community.
“When we come here, we do not come merely to provide assistance. We come to get to know the community, listen to their views and understand their way of life. This is the spirit we want to bring through PERKIM,” he said.
According to him, the three-day, two-night experience in Pulau Ketam had given PERKIM members and volunteers the opportunity to witness first-hand the realities of local life, with many residents depending on fishing and other occupations connected to the sea.
He also praised the openness of the Pulau Ketam community in warmly welcoming PERKIM and allowing the delegation to carry out community activities, gotong-royong and dialogue sessions with residents.
“Most importantly, we were able to sit together, talk and get to know one another. It is through encounters like these that respect and trust emerge, ultimately leading to stronger relationships,” he said.
“We hope this will not be our last programme here. If there is an opportunity and support, we want to return. We want this relationship to continue, not only when there is a programme, but as an ongoing and living relationship between PERKIM and the people of Pulau Ketam,” he added.
The closing ceremony also saw PERKIM presenting commemorative plaques to Ts. Richard Wang Kheng Hwa, representatives of the Royal Malaysia Police in Pulau Ketam and representatives of the Pulau Ketam Health Clinic in appreciation of their cooperation and support in making the programme a success.
Children who took part in the recreational activities held the previous day were also presented with prizes for events including musical chairs, carrying ping-pong balls with spoons, the three-legged race and the biggest-balloon competition.
The programme concluded with the presentation of tokens of appreciation to participants, a commemorative photography session and a luncheon.
The organising team distributes breakfast packs and beverages to members of the public passing by the Pulau Ketam Community Hall.
Muslim residents of Pulau Ketam receive breakfast packs from the organising team.
Members of the organising team distribute breakfast packs to villagers.
Pulau Ketam Balai Islam Chairman Anas Abdul Manan welcomes the dialogue participants and expresses his appreciation to PERKIM for taking the time to spend three days and two nights engaging with the village community.
During the Dialog Harmoni, Cherry Chew (right) highlights the history of Islam’s arrival in China during the Tang Dynasty, as well as the historical ties between China and the Malay Archipelago, including the role of renowned Ming Dynasty maritime figure Zheng He, also known as Admiral Cheng Ho.
Moderator Sulaiman Ding interprets the message into Malay, emphasising that differences in religion, race and culture should not become barriers separating communities, but should instead be embraced as strengths that shape Malaysia’s national identity.
The Dialog Harmoni also emphasises that harmony within a community cannot be achieved through the efforts of leaders or village committees alone, but must stem from the collective cooperation of the entire community.
Among those attending are representatives from the Pulau Ketam Police Station together with members of the village community.
Villagers listen attentively to the dialogue session.
Attending the closing ceremony are (from left) Jais Mariappan, Haji Hushim, Ts. Richard and Anas
Fatin Akmal serves as master of ceremonies for the closing ceremony of the Mahabbah Komuniti Masyarakat Majmuk Cina Pulau Ketam programme.
Pulau Ketam Village Head Ts. Richard Wang, in his welcoming remarks, says PERKIM’s presence on the island has provided residents with opportunities to receive various forms of assistance and services, while strengthening ties between the local community and PERKIM.
According to Jais Mariappan, the programme saw excellent cooperation from the local community, including members of the police force and representatives from the Pulau Ketam Health Clinic.
In his officiating speech, Haji Hushim says PERKIM’s engagement with the Pulau Ketam community is not merely about providing assistance, but represents an effort to forge closer and sustained human connections.
“When we come here, we do not come merely to provide assistance. We come to get to know the community, listen to their views and understand their way of life,” said Haji Hushim.
Haji Hushim also commends the openness of the Pulau Ketam community in warmly welcoming PERKIM, including providing the delegation with opportunities to carry out community activities, gotong-royong and dialogue sessions with residents.
Haji Hushim presents a PERKIM commemorative plaque to Ts. Richard Wang as a token of appreciation.
A representative of the Pulau Ketam Police Station receives a commemorative plaque from Haji Hushim.
Haji Hushim presents a PERKIM commemorative plaque to Azizah Zakaria, Community Nurse at the Pulau Ketam Health Clinic.
Winners of the children’s recreational games receive their prizes from Haji Hushim.
Haji Hushim presents prizes to the winners of the children’s recreational games.
Aizat Rosli receives a prize from Haji Hushim for his participation in the recreational games.
Haji Hushim presents MAIWP goodwill cash contributions to village residents.
Village residents receive MAIWP goodwill cash contributions from Haji Hushim.
Guests of honour and members of the organising team pose for a commemorative photograph with Pulau Ketam residents at the conclusion of the programme.
