UTAR NEW VILLAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT

REPORT

NAME OF NEW VILLAGE:

SUNGAI TERAP宋溪达立

PERAK

Project carried out by:

Student Name ID Number Course Year/

Trimester

1. Fong Yeen Fei 11ABB01959

Bachelor of Business

Administration (Hons)

Banking and Finance

Y1/T3

2. Low Chee Keong 12ABB06559

Bachelor of Business

Administration (Hons)

Banking and Finance

Y1/T3

DATE OF COMPLETION

SEPTEMBER 2013

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HISTORY

Kg Baru Sungai Terap, Selama was established in the 1950’s as one of 425

new villages in Malaya. New villages were set up by the British authorities and many

Chinese were relocated there under the Briggs Plan. The strategy was to guard the

villages and to prevent the rural folk from providing supplies to the communist

insurgents.

An old temple named “观音庙” is Kg Baru Sg Terap’s main attraction for

visitors.

Temple in the village

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POPULATION

Kg Baru Sg Terap’s multi-ethnic society comprises approximately 350

Chinese, 62 Indians and 8 Malays of the total 420 residents, 50 are aged 0-14 while

the majority are aged 15-64. It is to be noted that there are 2 villagers aged 98 and 99.

The village’s population size is declining. In fact, there was a 5% decline in

the number of residents between the years 2000 and 2013.

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ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Most villagers earn a living from the oil palm estates which surround the

village. A small minority work in the rubber estates.

Oil palm estates surround the village.

As a result of its small population size, there are only a few small grocery

shops in the village. We observed that the vegetables sold was not fresh and

conditions of storage was not hygienic.

Most villagers eat their meals at home. It is therefore not surprising that local

coffee shops have very little business.

Grocery shop in the village

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Vegetables at the grocery shop- storage condition is not hygienic.

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SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PRATICES

Because of its predominantly Chinese population, Chinese dialects like

Cantonese, Hakka and Teow Chew are widely spoken in this village. Bahasa Melayu

and Tamil are also used by a minority.

About 80% of the population are Taoists and 10% are Buddhists. The

remaining villagers are Muslims, Hindus and Christians. As many villagers are poor,

they do not celebrate festivals in a grandiose manner.

Most Chinese villagers place a “tian shen” (attar for the “god of heaven) in front of their houses.

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The Chinese temple in the village

The Hindu temple opposite the basketball court in the village

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EDUCATION

Kg. Baru Sungai Terap has the following education institutions:

There is one primary schools in the village, namely Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan

(Cina) Sungai Terap, Selama, Perak. The facilities in the school include a canteen, a

library, a science lab, a teacher’s office, a computer lab, and several classrooms. The

total number of the students in this primary school is not more than 50 pupils from

standard one until standard six. Initially, there were only 3 classrooms in this school.

The school applied to the authorities for renovation funds and received more than

anticipated. Subsequently, the original one-storey building with 3 classrooms was

rebuilt and, today, there is a 4-storey building with at least 6 classrooms. There are a

total of 10 teachers, 2 security guards and 2 janitors working in the school.

This school lacks a playing field where the students can exercise or

take part in sports. Village children will benefit if a kindergarten is set up in the

school.

The primary school in the village (front view)

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4-storey primary school building

Canteen in the school

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Astro satellites for students and teachers

Computer lab for students

Basketball court for students

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INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES

Facilities available in the village include a playground, a basketball court and

a multipurpose hall for use as a badminton court and for RELA members or villagers

to hold meetings or other events. This hall can fit in about 200 to 300 people during

festivals or wedding receptions. There is no air-conditioning available in the hall. The

village would benefit from the setting up of an air-conditioned hall with a stage.

Currently, some villagers travel to nearby towns to rent such facilities for weddings

and other functions.

There was a police station in the village years ago. It was located opposite the

basketball court. The 20 to 30 policemen in this police station lived in the police

quarters in the village. For better security in this village, it would be good if a small

police station were rebuilt here.

The roads in this village are well maintained. The drainage system is also in

good condition.

The garbage collection service in Kg. Baru Sungai Terap is adequate. The

Majlis Bandaraya of Selama sends garbage collection trucks to the village three times

a week.

A village road

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The front view of the multi-purpose hall

The interior of the hall

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Stair case outside the hall

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PROBLEMS

The main problems faced by Kg. Baru Sungai Terap are as follows:

Lack of a playing field in the school

Lack of facilities in the village like a police station or police “pondok” , and a

wet market

The multi-purpose hall needs to be air conditioned & upgraded

Limited employment opportunities

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RECOMMENDATIONS

In relation to the problems (e.g facilities problems) mentioned above, the following

recommendations are:

Lack of a playing field at the school

The school committee and/or principal should appeal to the relevant authorities on

this matter.

Limited Employment Opportunities

Perhaps villagers could set up small businesses such as new provision shops or food

stalls which sell home-cooked meals.

Lack of facilities in the village like police station and a wet market

If the small population does not warrant the setting up of a police station, perhaps

small police “pondok” could be placed at strategic locations.

A small wet market, perhaps one which operates on alternate days, could help

villagers obtain fresh food items.

The multi-purpose hall needs to be upgraded

Perhaps villagers could appeal to the relevant authorities for funds to upgrade the

multi-purpose hall. The upgrade would include the installation of a stage and air

conditioning.

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DISCLAIMER:

Information contained in this report was compiled by the University’s students on voluntary basis.

Although every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the report, the University accepts no

responsibility whatsoever for any errors or omissions, if any, the University reserves the right to make

changes on the information at any time without prior notice.

Should there be any queries regarding contents of the report, please contact:

Department of Soft Skills Competency

Tel: 03-79582628 ext 8274, 8656, 8269 (Klang Valley Campus)

05- 4688888 ext 2295/2297/2299/2300 (Perak Campus)