PERKIM Strengthens Bonds of Ukhuwah with the Orang Asli Community of Kampung Pisang

ᵇʸ: ᴹᴼᴴᴰ. ˢʸᴬᴴᴿᴵᴸ ᴿᴼˢᴰᴵ ᴬᴴᴹᴬᴰ ᶻᴬᴴᵁᴰᴵ

SUNGAI SIPUT, MAY 17, 2026 – The Community Harmony Programme for the Multi-Racial Orang Asli Community of Kampung Pisang, Jalong Tinggi near here continued successfully into its second day with a series of educational, dakwah and community-based activities carried out in an atmosphere of harmony and goodwill among people of diverse backgrounds.

The programme, jointly organised by Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM) National and Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), also received the cooperation of PERKIM Perak State Division, the Kuala Kangsar District Office of the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) and the Perak Islamic Information Organisation (PIIN).

The programme began with a Harmony Dialogue session attended by more than 60 villagers, the majority of whom were from the Temiar tribe, to discuss various issues related to dakwah, education, community development and cultural sensitivities within the Orang Asli community.

The dialogue, conducted in an open and respectful atmosphere, was moderated by PERKIM National Dakwah 1 Executive Ustaz Muhammad Jais Mariappan Abdullah and featured a panel session by JAIPk Dakwah Division representative Ustaz Wan Mas Indra Juja.

During the session, Wan Mas Indra shared his extensive experience in engaging with Orang Asli communities throughout the country and stressed the importance of adopting a wise and respectful approach when interacting with them.

According to him, the Orang Asli community greatly appreciates individuals who genuinely understand their hardships and are willing to stand alongside them regardless of challenges.

“Dakwah and welfare efforts cannot be carried out hastily or through coercion. Every matter must be handled with wisdom, respect and through the proper channels, including obtaining the consent of the Tok Batin and relevant authorities,” he said.

He also reminded participants to be mindful of their speech and avoid using terms that could offend the Orang Asli community, as cultural sensitivities must be respected in order to preserve harmony within a plural society.

“Sometimes a word may seem ordinary to outsiders, but it can be highly sensitive to the Orang Asli community. That is why it is important for us to guard our speech and understand their culture,” he explained.

In addition, he stressed that dakwah efforts towards the Orang Asli community should prioritise strengthening faith and the understanding of tauhid before addressing other subsidiary matters.

He said a proper appreciation of Islam could help shape a more organised, disciplined and resilient Orang Asli community in facing contemporary challenges.

Wan Mas Indra also highlighted the importance of education and technological literacy among Orang Asli youth so they would not continue to be left behind in the nation’s development.

“If we do not master knowledge and technology, we will continue to lag behind. That is why Orang Asli children must continue pursuing education and not fall out of the education system,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ustaz Jais Mariappan said the wider community must understand that the Orang Asli possess their own unique identity and culture that deserve respect.

According to him, strong relationships with the Orang Asli community cannot be built overnight, but require sincerity, patience and a willingness to understand local customs and traditions.

“A good relationship cannot be built in a day. It requires sincerity, mutual respect and the willingness to understand the culture of the local community,” he said.

He also urged Orang Asli youth to continue seeking knowledge and to look up to successful figures within their own community as inspiration in building a brighter future.

 

Meanwhile, Tok Batin of Kampung Pisang Jalong Tinggi, Batin Nasiri Ngah, expressed appreciation to PERKIM and all agencies involved for continuing to choose Kampung Pisang as the location for community and dakwah programmes.

He said the programme organised by PERKIM, now held for the third time following previous editions in 2008 and 2010, had successfully united the villagers through gotong-royong activities, house-to-house visits and various forms of assistance channelled to residents.

“Alhamdulillah, this programme has been very encouraging and has received strong cooperation from the villagers. Yesterday, we visited homes while delivering food aid, and the community warmly welcomed the delegation,” he said.

He added that the assistance provided not only benefited the villagers, but would also serve as a continuous source of reward for contributors as long as it continued to be utilised by the community.

In his speech, he also expressed hope that Orang Asli parents would place greater emphasis on their children’s education so they could transform the future of the community.

PERKIM National Administration Director, Dr. Suariza @ Hidayah Muhammad, representing PERKIM Honorary Secretary-General, Dato’ Dr. Haji Mohamad Marzuki Mohamad Omar, described Kampung Pisang as holding sentimental value for her, having once conducted a foster-family programme together with students from the PERKIM Club of Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS) at the village in 2008.

She said returning to Kampung Pisang after 18 years left her deeply moved, especially upon seeing that the close relationship between PERKIM and the Orang Asli community there remained strong.

“I still remember how we stayed here for three days and two nights with university students, and the villagers welcomed us warmly. Today, returning once again, I feel that bond remains just as close,” she said.

She also informed that the programme was implemented through zakat contributions from MAIWP to strengthen dakwah and welfare initiatives for the Orang Asli community.

The programme was officially launched by PERKIM Perak State Division Secretary, Tuan Haji Meor Harun Meor Osman, representing PERKIM Perak State Division Chairman, Capt. (Rtd.) Dato’ Haji Mohd Najmuddin Elias Al Hafiz.

According to him, such programmes could create a significant impact on the Orang Asli community through the strengthening of ukhuwah, unity and brotherhood, in line with PERKIM’s motto, “Islam is Brotherhood”.

“Programmes such as this not only strengthen community ties, but can also inspire Orang Asli children to succeed at both state and national levels,” he said.

He also hoped that more programmes of this nature could be organised in remote areas throughout Perak to further strengthen ties between communities and dakwah agencies.

The programme was further enlivened by various traditional and recreational games held throughout the previous day, which received enthusiastic participation from villagers of all ages.

Among the activities organised were carrying a ball using a spoon, filling bottles with water and eating biscuits without using hands.

Women participated in coconut bowling, hoop-and-ball activities and musical chairs, while the men showcased their skills in tarik upih, poisonous balloon games and traditional blowpipe competitions.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, PERKIM National Administration Director Dr Suariza, PERKIM Perak State Secretary Haji Meor Harun and Tok Batin Kampung Pisang Batin Nasiri personally presented prizes to the winners of the traditional games and lucky draw sessions.

The laughter and cheers from villagers filling the programme grounds clearly reflected the lively atmosphere of the activities, which successfully strengthened ties between the Orang Asli community, volunteers and participating agencies.

Also involved in making the programme a success were PERKIM National secretariat members Azura Abdul Rahman, Fatin Akmal Aksah and Muhamad Fardly Johan, together with Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) industrial training students Nurul ‘Izzah Salimi and Ummul Murshida Mat Shuqi.

Also present were PERKIM Perak State executive Ustaz Muhammad Ariff Abdul Aziz; PERKIM Perak State administrative assistant Muhammad Hani Waran G. Ratnasamy; JAIPk Islamic missionary officer Ustaz Mohamad Noor PK Osman; Kuala Kangsar District Islamic missionary officer Ustaz Ismail Ahmad; and Kuala Kangsar District JAKOA representative Azri Aliong.

 

Ustaz Jais Mariappan commenced the Harmony Dialogue session as moderator on the second day together with the Orang Asli community of Kampung Pisang.

 

Women residents of Kampung Pisang attentively following the Harmony Dialogue session.

 

During the dialogue session, Ustaz Wan Mas Indra reminded participants to be mindful of their speech and to avoid using terms that could offend the Orang Asli community.

 

He also highlighted the importance of education and technological literacy among Orang Asli youths to ensure they are not left behind in the nation’s development.

 

Among the distinguished guests in attendance was PERKIM National Administration Director, Dr Suariza.

 

Fatin Akmal opened the closing ceremony as master of ceremonies.

 

In his speech, Tok Batin Nasiri Ngah said the programme organised by PERKIM for the third time since 2008 and 2010 in the village had successfully united the community through gotong-royong activities, visitation programmes and various other initiatives.

 

Dr Suariza described Kampung Pisang as holding sentimental value for her as she had previously conducted a foster-family programme together with students from the PERKIM Club of UIS in the village in 2008.

 

According to Haji Meor Harun, the programme had a significant impact on the Orang Asli community through the strengthening of ukhuwah, unity and the spirit of brotherhood in line with PERKIM’s motto, “Islam is Brotherhood”.

 

Haji Meor Harun presenting stationery prizes to the winners of the children’s traditional games competitions.

 

Mothers receiving kitchenware prizes for the traditional games from Tok Batin Nasiri.

 

Dr Suariza presenting carpentry tools as prizes to the winners of the men’s traditional games competitions.

 

Residents of Kampung Pisang receiving food aid and token contributions sponsored by MAIWP presented by Haji Meor Harun.

 

Haji Meor Harun presenting hamper prizes to the lucky draw winners.

 

The Honorary Secretary of PERKIM Perak presenting a PERKIM commemorative plaque to Ustaz Wan Mas Indra representing JAIPk.

 

Azli Aliong representing JAKOA receiving a PERKIM commemorative plaque from Haji Meor Harun.

 

Azri Aliong presenting a traditional Orang Asli tempok souvenir to Dr Suariza.

 

Dr Suariza presenting a commemorative portrait photograph from the 2008 PERKIM Programme with the Orang Asli Community of Kampung Pisang to Tok Batin Nasiri.

 

PERKIM members taking a commemorative group photograph with the Orang Asli community of Kampung Pisang at the conclusion of the programme.