JPSM Allocated RM1,022 Million For MADANI Village Adoption Programme In Permatang Bogak
KEPALA BATAS, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- The government has allocated RM1.022 million to the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department (JPSM) to implement community development projects in Kampung Permatang Bogak here under the ‘MADANI Village Adoption’ programme.
JPSM director-general Datuk Zahari Ibrahim said the programme aims to enhance the well-being of rural communities through infrastructure upgrades, socio-economic development and community empowerment, while also helping to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas.
"JPSM was given an allocation of RM950,000 followed by an additional RM72,000 under the TVET On-Job Train component, bringing the total allocation to RM1.022 million, which will benefit more than 900 residents in three villages, namely Permatang Bogak, Permatang Pak Elong and Permatang Tok Loba.
"This allocation is infrastructure development and maintenance, social development, greening cultural programmes and the procurement of equipment and repair of facilities," he told reporters at the handing over of Kampung Angkat MADANI and Sekolah Angkat MADANI here today.
He said 22 works, involving the upgrading of facilities and procurement of goods, had been implemented.
They included the repair of the canteen of the People's Religious School (KAFA) of Surau Kechik Husain in Permatang Pak Elong, building of a Kampung Angkat MADANI landmark, and building of a new hall and installing solar panels at the Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Zain Mosque.
Zahari said the department is also implementing five social development projects, which include providing hospital beds and wheelchairs for the elderly, food basket assistance for the poor and single mothers, schooling support for children of ailing parents and those without a fixed income, as well as supplying equipment and materials for a motorcycle workshop to benefit local youth.
He said JPSM is also collaborating with the Seberang Perai Utara MARA Skills Institute (IKM SPU) to install a hybrid solar energy system (PV Hybrid & Storage Battery System) at the Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Zain Mosque, making it the first mosque in Penang to utilise a hybrid solar setup equipped with real-time monitoring displays.
"The move not only reduces electricity consumption, but also introduces clean energy technology to the village community and solar lights were also installed on the main roads and village intersections," he said.
For the MADANI School Adoption programme, he said Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Sintok was allocated RM100,000, which was utilised for two main components—upgrading school infrastructure and facilities, and developing student skills.
According to him, among the projects and activities carried out were the upgrading of the assembly square, surau and pre-school ceilings, the installation of fans and air-conditioning units, as well as the provision of sports equipment and jerseys for the Tunas Sintok football team.
“A total of 372 students and 37 teachers now enjoy more comfortable and conducive facilities through the MADANI School Adoption initiative,” he said, adding that all projects under both the MADANI Adoption Village and MADANI School programmes have been implemented since last May.
-- BERNAMA
