PERKIM Spreads Mahabbah Through Gotong-Royong With Pulau Ketam Chinese Community

By: MOHD. SYAHRIL ROSDI AHMAD ZAHUDI

KLANG, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 — A gotong-royong programme jointly organised by the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) unfolded in a warm and convivial atmosphere alongside members of the local community here.

More than 20 secretariat members from PERKIM headquarters and PERKIM Selangor participated in the community service initiative, which underscored dakwah through welfare, community service and humanitarian engagement, transcending racial and religious boundaries.

Among those taking part from PERKIM headquarters were Administrative Director Dr Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad, Mohd Aizat Rosli, Ustaz Sulaiman Ding Yu Zhong, Hashimah Hashim, Azura Abdul Rahman, Norlailialpin Suratman, Rohaiza Mohd Tan, Fatin Akmal Aksah, Mu’alish Shah Mohd Anuar, Esa Othman, Muhammad Aidil Aqel Mohd Yusoff and Muhammad Faiz Hasnain Lokman.

PERKIM Selangor was represented by Ustaz Mohd Yusoff Haji Ahmad, Muhammad Hizam Abdul Rahim, Haji Mohd Subki Abdul Rahman, Hajah Umaizah Abdullah, as well as several volunteers.

The group departed from the jetty for Pulau Ketam at about 12.30pm by ferry, with the journey covering approximately 27km and taking about 45 minutes.

Upon arrival, Programme Coordinator Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah was invited to deliver the Friday sermon at Balai Islam Pulau Ketam, titled Realising the True Meaning of Independence, issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

The sermon was attended by more than 50 male congregants.

In his sermon, Ustaz Jais Mariappan called on Muslims to strengthen their taqwa to Allah SWT by fulfilling His commandments and refraining from all that He has prohibited.

He said Malaysia’s independence should not merely be understood as liberation from foreign colonial rule, but also embraced as the liberation of humanity from every form of bondage that distances people from Allah SWT.

“True independence is not merely freedom from colonialism, but freedom from every form of bondage that shackles the human soul.

“For a Muslim, independence means being free from servitude to fellow human beings, free to uphold justice and free to build a life of wellbeing in this world and the hereafter,” he said.

Drawing lessons from the words of the companion of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, Rib‘i bin ‘Amir RA, when he confronted the Persian commander Rustum, Ustaz Jais Mariappan said Islam’s concept of independence was about liberating humanity from servitude to creation and directing that devotion solely towards the One God.

He said true independence also required individuals to free themselves from becoming slaves to their desires, wealth, positions, popularity and worldly interests to the point of compromising their principles, trust and dignity.

He also reminded Muslims that Islam teaches the liberation of humanity from oppression towards justice, in accordance with Allah SWT’s command in Surah al-Ma’idah, verse 8, which affirms that justice is closer to taqwa.

“A truly independent nation is not merely one that is free from the shackles of colonialism, but one supported by citizens who respect the rights of others, fulfil their responsibilities and reject all forms of oppression,” he said.

Ustaz Jais Mariappan said the blessing of independence must be translated into efforts to build a resilient society, nurture knowledgeable and morally upright generations, and harness technology and social media to spread benefit rather than hostility.

After Friday prayers, the PERKIM delegation joined local residents in continuing the mahabbah agenda by purchasing a range of cleaning equipment from a hardware store in preparation for the community service activities scheduled for the afternoon.

The equipment included brooms, dustpans, mops, buckets, floor and wall brushes, cleaning cloths, sponges, cleaning agents, glass cleaners, gloves, rubbish bags, cobweb dusters, water jets and other essential supplies.

Ustaz Jais Mariappan said the initiative was a manifestation of PERKIM’s approach to building bridges of brotherhood and mutual understanding through welfare and community service that could be directly experienced by members of society.

“This programme, conducted in collaboration with PERKIM Selangor, PERKIM Klang Branch and Balai Islam, is not merely about cleaning the surroundings.

“We want to understand their lives, listen to their needs and contribute our energy towards addressing matters where we can provide assistance,” he said.

He said the initiative also continued PERKIM’s series of Mahabbah programmes with Malaysia’s diverse communities, including the Orang Asli community in Perak, the Indian community in Kedah and the Portuguese community in Melaka.

“This time, we are here together with the Chinese community of Pulau Ketam,” he said.

According to him, the continuity of such programmes demonstrated PERKIM’s commitment to expanding its welfare network to all segments of society through an approach that is moderate, inclusive and rooted in humanitarian values.

“Insya-Allah, when communities get to know and help one another, mutual respect, understanding and affection will grow.

“This is the spirit of Malaysia that we must continue to nurture,” he said.

The gotong-royong began after Asar prayers, with PERKIM secretariat members, volunteers and local residents divided into four groups to carry out cleaning works at several identified locations.

The first group was tasked with cleaning the community hall, while the second focused on Balai Islam Pulau Ketam.

The third group cleaned the home of an asnaf, while the fourth carried out cleaning works at the homes of underprivileged and vulnerable residents.

Among the activities undertaken were sweeping rubbish, removing cobwebs, wiping windows, washing and mopping floors, cleaning fans and fences, wiping walls, installing curtains, vacuuming carpets, tidying interior spaces and arranging chairs and tables.

The commitment displayed by PERKIM’s secretariat members and volunteers, working hand in hand with local residents, created a lively and meaningful atmosphere while providing an opportunity for closer interaction between PERKIM and the community.

Beyond the physical cleaning works, the initiative also became a platform for cultivating solidarity, as local residents and the PERKIM delegation worked together, communicated and shared experiences in a spirit of goodwill and harmony.

The programme concluded with a dinner hosted together with local residents and volunteers, followed by congregational Maghrib prayers.

The three-day Mahabbah Community Programme with the Pulau Ketam Chinese Community further demonstrated how PERKIM’s welfare and community engagement agenda continues to grow through an approach that brings the organisation closer to the people, reaches out to those in need and strengthens ties across racial and religious communities.

As Malaysians continue to enjoy the blessings of independence, initiatives such as this serve as a reminder that independence is not merely something to be celebrated, but a trust to be enriched through acts of charity, unity, justice and mutual respect in building a more harmonious and prosperous society.

For PERKIM, mahabbah is a bridge that connects one heart to another — and Pulau Ketam stands as yet another testament that compassion, welfare and humanity can unite communities despite differences in background.

 

PERKIM headquarters secretariat members arrive at the South Port Passenger Terminal to board the ferry to Pulau Ketam.

 

The delegation boards a ferry for the 25-kilometre journey to Pulau Ketam, which takes approximately 45 minutes.

 

The delegation arrives at Pulau Ketam, where fishing boats line the surrounding waters.

 

A sign welcoming visitors to Pulau Ketam.

 

The iconic ‘KETAM’ sign, one of the island’s popular attractions for visitors.

 

Balai Islam Pulau Ketam serves as a venue for daily prayers, including Friday prayers, as well as a centre for Islamic activities and the promotion of Islamic teachings.

 

Ustaz Jais Mariappan delivers the Friday sermon at Balai Islam Pulau Ketam.

 

Ustaz Jais Mariappan delivers the Friday sermon, titled ‘Realising the True Meaning of Independence’, issued by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department.

 

More than 50 male congregants listen attentively to the Friday sermon.

 

PERKIM secretariat members put up the programme banner at the grounds of the Pulau Ketam Community Hall.

 

PERKIM secretariat members gather the cleaning equipment needed for the gotong-royong at the four designated locations.

 

PERKIM secretariat members pose for a group photograph with volunteers and local residents before the gotong-royong begins.

 

Jais Mariappan removes cobwebs from the upper corners of the community hall.

 

Aizat Rosli removes cobwebs accumulated on the pillars of the community hall.

 

PERKIM secretariat members sweep and clean the entire house, including the living room, at the first local resident’s home.

 

Volunteers mop and tidy the entire home of a local resident.

 

The second local resident’s home is also swept and mopped as part of the cleaning effort.

 

Volunteers wipe down a fence that had accumulated dust and dirt over time.

 

Azura wipes down the walls of Balai Islam Pulau Ketam after vacuuming the carpets.

 

Fatin Akmal puts the curtains back in place after cleaning the fans at Balai Islam Pulau Ketam.

 

Kamal, who also serves at Balai Islam Pulau Ketam, joins the team in cleaning the ablution area and floors of the prayer hall.