Public Service Dept allocates RM1.46m to upgrade village, school

GOPENG: THE Public Service Department (PSD) has allocated RM1.465 million for physical improvement and community projects under the Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani programmes.

The initiative benefits Kampung Kota Bharu in Kampar and SMK Malim Nawar, with eight of nine planned physical projects completed.

The projects include upgrading Masjid Jamek Kota Bharu , the community hall, health clinic, police station and primary school facilities.

A landmark featuring artwork by renowned cartoonist Datuk Lat, who hails from the village, was also built under the initiative.

In addition, 11 community programmes were organised, including a 'korban' programme, fishing competition, traditional sports activities and a public religious lecture.

The programmes aim to strengthen human capital development and improve the well-being of the community.

Public Service director-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the programme, which began in April, demonstrated how strategic cooperation between government agencies could translate plans into tangible benefits for the people.

"This is how we put the Malaysia Madani concept into practice. Government officers go to the ground to identify residents' needs and provide assistance accordingly.

"PSD's involvement will not end here. Although the programme has concluded, we will continue monitoring the projects and maintaining contact with villagers.

"This is to ensure the infrastructure provided is properly maintained."

He said this after officiating at the closing of the PSD's Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani programmes at SK Kota Baharu's field here yesterday.

Present were Association of Wives and Women Members of the Malaysian Civil Service (Puspanita) PSD branch chairman Puan Sri
Dr Azlifah Bahari and Perak State Financial Officer Datuk Mohd Zaki Mahyudin.

At the ceremony, Rahmah food baskets were distributed to 97 families in Kampung Kota Bharu. Contributions were also presented to the school, while strategic partners received tokens of appreciation.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan said community engagement activities allowed public officers to better understand the realities faced by residents.

He added that meaningful relationships could be built when initiatives were designed around the actual needs of communities.

"Ultimately, Madani development is not merely about building infrastructure, but also nurturing the potential and well-being of the people."

He said RM500,000 allocated by the Finance Ministry and RM35,000 from PSD were used to implement eight physical projects.

Two additional physical projects were carried out in collaboration with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, including the installation of 40 solar-powered street lights worth RM380,000.

The Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department also allocated RM450,000 for a new multipurpose hall.

The facility, which is still under construction, will accommodate two badminton courts.

Under the Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative, RM90,000 was allocated to SMK Malim Nawar to upgrade its computer laboratory, design and technology workshop and science laboratory.

A further RM10,000 was channelled towards educational development programmes for students and teachers.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan said seven high-impact programmes were also organised for students, including the Knowledge Camp, Student Excellence and Character Development programme, benchmarking visits and uniformed unit camps.

Teachers were also included in initiatives like the School Leadership Professionalism programme, Guru Madani engagement sessions and the Legal Literacy programme.

He said Kampung Kota Bharu was selected as PSD's adopted village after assessments found that several of its basic facilities lagged behind those in other areas.

However, the village was found to have considerable development potential.

"We identified the potential of this village. Today, we can see that many of its facilities have been upgraded, all for the benefit of the community," Wan Ahmad Dahlan said.

"As for the adopted school,
we found that students at SMK
Malim Nawar had limited exposure to opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings.

"So we brought them to places such as Putrajaya and Cyberjaya to broaden their horizons and expose them to the wider world.

"These experiences have given them new perspectives and will hopefully motivate them to strive for greater achievements."

He also praised SK Kota Baharu's team for winning a gold medal with its Ecowire Roll innovation at the International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Expo 2026 on Oct 25.

He also highlighted the achievement of a student from SMK Malim Nawar who represented Selangor in football.

Wan Ahmad Dahlan said the achievements showed that rural students could excel when given the right opportunities, facilities and support.

"They, too, can turn their ideas into reality. This shows that schools in rural areas have the potential to achieve recognition at a higher level."