A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project was successfully conducted on 2 April 2022 by a group of 10 Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Public Relations (PR) students from UTAR Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Kampar Campus.
Titled “Gotong-Royong: “Tiada Kuman, Tiada Jangkitan”, the CSR project was held in collaboration with Majlis Daerah Kampar (MDKpr) to carry out communal work at Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan. In view of the increasing dengue issue and environmental pollution, the students organised the project to educate the local communities on dengue prevention measures, in addition to creating awareness of environmental hygiene and dengue issues to ensure that the standard of hygiene around the Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan areas can be improved throughout the “gotong-royong” project. As a result, 26 student volunteers, including the organising committee and 10 MDKpr staff, turned up for the “gotong-royong” session.
The project was attended and officiated by Administrative Officer of MDKpr Mohd Izham bin Ahmad, Assistant Environmental Health Officer of MDKpr Masriza binti Lazarous, Assistant Environmental Health Officer of MDKpr Muhammad Mahatir bin Azman, Councilor of MDKpr Ng Wah Leng and FAS lecturer-cum-project advisor Diong Fong Wei.
The volunteers were divided into two groups of 13 to carry out two hours of cleaning activities in the surroundings of Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan. The volunteers carried out the activities by cleaning up the rubbish on land and in ditches. In addition, the committee also developed meaningful ways to engage with residents in Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan by distributing infographic flyers about dengue and explaining dengue prevention measures.
In his speech, Mohd Izham, said, “In the past few years, MDKpr has often conducted clean-up activities to ensure that the local environment is improved. It is an honour to organise meaningful clean-up services with the university students in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 3, which aims to ensure the good health and well-being of the local community.”
“The transmission of germs and dengue diseases is caused by stagnant water in food containers, plastic and polystyrene. Cleanliness is the most crucial aspect of daily life and it can affect our health. Therefore, this ‘gotong-royong’ project is great as it provides awareness and eradicates dengue cases among residents, especially in Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan. UTAR students carried out the ‘gotong-royong’ activities to ensure cleanliness by collecting garbage, plastics and bottles that have the potential to be the breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes. I also hope that a project like this can be held in other locations in Kampar. After ten years, the project is held again in collaboration with UTAR. I hope that the cooperation between UTAR and the council will last long,” said Mohd Izham.
He added, “Although the trend of dengue in Kampar district this year (from January to March) is not that high compared to other neighbourhoods, the dengue cases in Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan areas are still detectable. Hence, the community of Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan or in the Kampar district are always encouraged to spend 10 minutes once a week cleaning the housing area to avoid infection. Things like flower pots and containers that have high chances to become the breeding ground need to be cleaned to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes because it only requires five days to transform from an egg to an Aedes mosquito.”
Village Chief of Mambang Diawan Choo Kok Cheng said, “The project is significant in spreading awareness of mosquito disease through passionate young people. I hope that similar projects will be held more often among the Kampar community in the future.”
“Heartfelt thanks to the MDKpr, especially Encik Muhammad Mahathir for his diligence and patience in providing guidance throughout the preparation of this project. Thank you for providing assistance and sponsorship in terms of equipment, printed materials, location, food, etc. During the preparation period, our group was also grateful that we were constantly watered with the guidance of our lecturer-cum-project advisor Ms Diong Fong Wei. Dengue prevention measures inspired the idea of implementing gotong-royong. We are sincerely grateful for the close cooperation between the group members and the volunteers. This truly made the project successful,” said Aireen Tan, Director of “Gotong-Royong: Tiada Kuman, Tiada Jangkitan”.
Mohd Izham, Administrative Officer of MDKpr also enthused, “Happy 20th Anniversary to UTAR. We are fortunate to work with students who hold CSR to provide community service to local residents. MDKpr will support the effort and contribution given to launch the ‘gotong-royong’ project. I hope UTAR and the council can work closely together in the future to promote the well-being of society.”
From left: Aireen Tan, Masriza, Mohd Izham, Ng Wah Leng, Muhammad Mahatir and Project Deputy Director Tan Bing Sheng officiating the project. The mosquito miniature with a prohibition sign symbolises the meaning of preventing Aedes mosquitoes and preserving a healthy living environment
Souvenir presentation ceremony (from left) Masriza, Aireen Tan, Mohd Izham, Ng, Muhammad Mahatir and Tan
Ng (left) guiding local residents to place their thumbprints on a board to show their support
The organising committee distributing cleaning equipment to student volunteers
Student volunteers carrying out cleaning activities
Student volunteers cleaning up the surroundings of Kampung Baru Mambang Diawan
Student volunteers cleaning the drain using the water hose from MDKpr
Student volunteers picking up rubbish from the drain
Organising committee member distributing infographic flyer and explaining facts about dengue issue to a local resident
Group photo with (centre) lecturer-cum-project advisor Diong, organising committee and student volunteers
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