Six Perak new villages receive RM185,000 for revitalisation projects
Perak domestic trade, cooperatives, consumer affairs and Chinese new village committee chairman Woo Kah Leong said the works would be implemented under the Chinese New Village Empowerment Programme 2025.
'We opened applications from April 14 to May 16 and received 20 proposals, from which six were selected,' he said in a press conference.
'These projects are aimed at protecting the heritage of the village, boosting the local economy, promoting community participation, enhancing tourism and preserving cultural diversity,' he added.
The six projects are the revitalisation of the charcoal industry in Kuala Sepetang by Persatuan Rimba Kuala Sepetang with an allocation of RM30,000, as well as Pangkor Island Festival by Pertubuhan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Timur with a RM50,000 grant.
Other projects are the village mural initiative by Liman Kati new village development and security committee (JPKK) which received RM15,000, Old Street Revival Initiative by Matang JPKK which was allocated RM30,000, Bercham Run by Bercham JPKK which was given RM30,000 and a mid-autumn festival event by Menglembu JPKK which was awarded RM30,000.
Woo said Chinese new villages in Perak faced challenges such as declining birth rates, ageing population and migration of residents to urban areas.
'These issues have disrupted the cultural, economic and social development of these villages.
'The empowerment programme was introduced to address these challenges and aims to shift policy implementation from a top-down to a bottom-up approach by encouraging active participation from village residents in local development,' he said.
Woo said funding for the six projects came from his office and was aimed at livening up new villages while preserving its unique identity.
He urged the younger generation to return and serve their communities through initiatives like these.
'This way, Chinese new villages can once again become vibrant centres of cultural, economic and social activity, while also attracting younger generations to contribute to village development rather than migrating to the cities,' he added.
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