MADANI Adopted Village Initiative Boosts Infrastructure, Livelihoods In Kampung Kuala Mengkuang

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- The implementation of physical and non-physical projects in Kampung Kuala Mengkuang under the Kampung Angkat MADANI Programme reflects the government’s strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life and socio-economic well-being of rural residents.

Director-general of the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) Datuk Indera Nik Nasarudin Mohd Zawawi said the government had allocated RM2.5 million for projects and programmes aimed at significantly benefiting residents.

He said discussions had been held with residents to allow them to propose suggestions, ensuring the projects implemented met their needs.

“The residents have shown full commitment. Through the allocation, we have implemented 34 physical and non-physical projects in this village, mainly involving infrastructure construction and repairs that benefit all residents.

“Among them are patching potholes, constructing an open hall costing nearly RM550,000, building a playground, repairing the KEMAS kindergarten, implementing the community garden project and upgrading the Sungai Kulim area, including deepening and repairing the riverbanks to mitigate flooding in the village,” he said at the handover ceremony of the JPM ICU Kampung Angkat MADANI in Kampung Kuala Mengkuang today.

ICU JPM deputy director-general (Strategic Development) and Kampung Angkat MADANI chairman Norashikin Ishak, as well as Kuala Mengkuang Village Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman Ibrahim Din.

Nik Nasarudin said all the projects were implemented in stages and fully completed on Jan 30, in collaboration of 16 strategic partners, including government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), and private entities.

He also said ICU JPM allocated RM100,000 under the Sejati MADANI programme for the Creative Crafts initiative to help boost the local economy.

Meanwhile, Nik Nasarudin said the village earned recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the “First Railway Bridge Mural”, produced in collaboration with the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).

In the meantime, Ibrahim expressed his gratitude to ICU JPM for selecting Kampung Kuala Mengkuang as the MADANI Adopted Village, a move that helped fulfil the residents’ aspirations for better infrastructure.

“This playground, for example, has been long awaited by the villagers. We applied to the District and Land Office nearly a decade ago, but due to site issues, it could not be built. 

“However, after the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) endowed this land for a multi-purpose hall, we were finally able to build a children's playground

Under Budget 2024, the government allocated RM100 million for 43 MADANI adopted villages nationwide, with each village receiving RM2.5 million.

Located in Seberang Perai Tengah, Kampung Kuala Mengkuang is home to nearly 1,300 residents, 95 per cent of whom are Malays, while the remaining five per cent are Chinese. 

Most residents work in the manufacturing sector or are engaged in small businesses, livestock rearing, and other rural economic activities.

-- BERNAMA