Kampung Pasir Salam Hosts ‘Gotong Royong’
August 16, 2024: The Orang Asli Seletar community of Kampung Pasir Salam hosted its first ‘gotong royong’ (communal work) programme, a heartwarming initiative that united volunteers, villagers, and various organisations in a collective effort to improve the community and promote environmental sustainability.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Social Hero Foundation (SHF), renowned for its commitment to social causes and as the driving force behind the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA), which honours exceptional contributions to societal well-being.
This ‘gotong royong’ not only marked the village’s first community-driven effort but also doubled as a celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, held on August 9. Through the initiative, the participants demonstrated solidarity with Malaysia’s indigenous communities, bringing much-needed attention to their ongoing struggles.
The success of this programme was made possible through collaboration with several key partners, including IMSHA award winners Ihsan Johor and Yayasan Kebajikan Suria, the Tebrau Parliamentary Service Centre, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Johor Bahru, Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JKOA) Johor, CBH Recycle (M) Sdn Bhd, Pelitawanis TNB, and KSL Realty Sdn Bhd, which owns the nearby oil palm plantation.
The event was closely aligned with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a commitment reflected in SHF’s focus on environmental sustainability through its Environment and Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) initiative.
Sustainability was at the forefront of this programme: even the event’s name tags were embedded with plantable Thai basil seeds, participation certificates were printed on biodegradable paper, and food was served in degradable cardboard containers. Every detail was designed to promote sustainability and environmental awareness.
The activities in Kampung Pasir Salam centred around a village-wide cleanup, aimed at the proper disposal and recycling of waste. CBH Recycle (M) Sdn Bhd played an essential role in educating the villagers on reducing waste through recycling and minimising the use of single-use plastics. Their involvement was pivotal in fostering a deeper understanding of waste management within the community.
Beyond environmental efforts, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) sent ten personnel to support the cleanup and conduct crucial emergency preparedness training. “The APM’s presence, led by Captain (PA) Mazwan Shah bin Hj Haron, was not just to assist with the cleanup but to train the villagers on how to respond during emergencies like sudden floods or fires,” explained Datuk Seri Teo Shiok Fu, a member of the SHF Board of Trustees.
Puan Farrah Baptist, Director of Programmes at SHF, led volunteers from KRT PPR Uda Utama in the hands-on cleanup efforts alongside 100 villagers and their children. Together, they removed almost 4 tons of waste from around the village, which included a stagnant pond the villagers had used as a makeshift bathing area, as well as debris carried in by the nearby Johor River. “The APM also conducted basic CPR training and fire extinguisher drills, with both adults and children enthusiastically taking turns to practise putting out controlled fires,” Puan Farrah added.
She emphasised the logistical challenges faced by Kampung Pasir Salam due to its remote location. “This village is quite far from Ulu Tiram town. It’s an 11-kilometre journey from town to the village’s turnoff, crossing a small bridge over a river that frequently floods. From there, it’s another 8 kilometres over rough terrain through privately owned orchards and palm oil plantations,” Puan Farrah explained. These geographic difficulties often delay emergency services and further complicate daily life for the villagers.
Kampung Pasir Salam sits between a sprawling oil palm plantation and the Johor River, which often presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The village head, Tok Batin Tuan Lailie bin Lie, expressed deep appreciation for the programme. “Programmes like this one help us to take better care of the environment we live in and also allow us to voice our challenges to the wider community, such as our ongoing issues with drinking water and rubbish collection,” he shared.
Home to 35 households and 144 villagers, Kampung Pasir Salam has never had a reliable water supply. Drinking water is delivered by the local water company, but the frequency of deliveries falls short of the community’s needs, particularly during dry seasons. As a result, the villagers are often forced to travel long distances over rough terrain to find potable water, relying on rainwater when it’s available.
The cleanup initiative wasn’t all work and no play. Lunch was generously provided by Persatuan Kebajikan Pelangi Ulu Tiram, led by Pastor Caleb Chua, a frequent contributor to the community. Villagers were treated to fresh fish, vegetables, chilies, and pineapples contributed by Yayasan Kebajikan Suria and Ihsan Johor, with a portion of the food coming from a local food rescue organisation.
The results of the two-day cleanup were impressive:
3.7 tonnes of rubbish
300 kg of plastic bottles
100 kg of aluminium cans and iron
30 kg of aluminium (other than cans)
In addition, about 400 kg of recyclable materials were collected, which will be converted into cash through CBH Recycle’s ‘Trash to Cash’ programme, providing a valuable income source for the community.
This ‘gotong royong’ event is just one step in an ongoing journey to support Malaysia’s indigenous communities. You can help make a lasting difference by contributing to organisations like Ihsan Johor and Yayasan Kebajikan Suria, both dedicated to improving the lives of those in need. Head over to Sokong today to learn more about how you can support these vital initiatives and drive change in communities like Kampung Pasir Salam. Together, we can help build a brighter future for all.
