Community projects bear fruit

An abandoned house in Section 3, Petaling Jaya, has been converted into a community garden with help from PJ SEED fund.

THE Petaling Jaya SEED (Social, Environment and Economy Development) Fund has benefitted 104 community projects since its inception in 2017.

So far, RM6.1mil has been distributed for community betterment under the fund.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) manages the fund for communities to embark on projects that are sustainable and beneficial to the community and environment.

Former MBPJ Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Department director Lee Lih Shyan (current Planning and Development director) said the fund was introduced after the Selangor government requested for local councils to allocate funds for community-based initiatives.

Over the years, the fund has helped numerous communities maintain projects that are doing well.

The projects have also helped foster better relationships among community members.

StarMetro spoke to three exemplary communities that have made good with monies allocated to them.

Garden in abandoned house

More communities are now embarking on community gardens but the biggest challenge is finding a site, especially in Klang Valley where land is valuable.

In Section 3, Petaling Jaya, a group of residents managed to get approval from MBPJ and the land’s owner to convert an abandoned house into a garden.

With the fund in hand, residents cleared the space to plant vegetables and rear fish.

Most importantly, the project has drawn the community together and fostered camaraderie.

Team leader Salleh Osman said the old neighbourhood had numerous abandoned houses, which were a menace to the community.

Long overgrowth and unkempt abandoned houses attracted snakes and drug addicts, hence clearing such areas was one way of keeping problems at bay, said resident Abdul Ghani Mohd.

“It was hardwork clearing the land.

“We created our own piping system and built a small space for us to hold meetings, cook and socialise after toiling in the garden,” he added.

Abdul Ghani said they applied for the PJ SEED Fund in 2020 and received RM8,500.

“This helped kickstart our groundwork and clearing of the land.

“We fixed the roof, created a hydroponic system and built a pond to rear fish.

“In 2021, we applied for and received funds amounting to RM39,500 which we used to buy equipment and soil.

“We also promoted our garden in our neighbourhood. Our crop buyers are our neighbours,” he added.

On average, the community garden yields up to RM200 in sales. The money is reinvested into the garden.

“We use only organic fertilisers for vegetables.

“The automatic water irrigation for the plants is sponsored by the Selangor Agricultural Department,” said Abdul Ghani.

Salleh said a group of seniors would begin gardening as early as 8am every day.

“We were all on the heavier side before embarking on our gardening project. Now we are much healthier and look forward to spending more time here.

“We also cook some of our vegetables in our small kitchen. This space has also turned into a community meeting place,” he added.

MBPJ is the biggest supporter of the project as its fund has helped the community and attracted interest from academics, undergraduates, masters and PhD students from local universities.

“This project has enabled community integration, meets the Malaysia Madani principles, is environmentally-friendly, fosters community safety and provides opportunity for continuous teaching and learning process,” said Salleh.

New village cultural heritage

The hidden gem of Seri Setia New Village (also known as Sungai Way New Village) in Sungai Way is its community cultural centre.

Located at Jalan SS9a/1, the Seri Setia New Village History Corridor is a mini museum housing items from the 1950s to the 1990s.

The centre’s objective is to teach and remind the younger generation of how people lived in bygone eras.

Many previously common household items such as food ration cards and home appliances that were once found in Sungai Way residents’ homes are displayed here.

With allocation from the PJ SEED Fund, the cultural centre project kickstarted in 2019.

It is sited in the same spot where the village’s community centre was once located some 70 years ago.

Sungai Way New Village head Ding Eow Chai said the community centre was converted to a parking area but there were issues with water retention.

It was then converted to a cultural centre, now the pride of the village.

“We received an allocation of RM30,000 from the PJ SEED fund, which went towards building the centre. We installed lights and curated exhibits.

“The public also donated and the place was set up at a cost of RM120,000,” said Ding.

“Most of the things on display were donated by the people. It is an insightful space for adults and the young.

“We have interesting items from the past, such as bushel better known as gantang. This container was used to measure rice.

“In the past, most Chinese homes also had their family surname framed and hung outside their houses. This practice is less obvious in the cities these days, as more people live in condominiums and high-rise buildings. There is a traditional surname signboard displayed for the younger generation to see,” he highlighted.

Ding said there were a total of 700 exhibits, including a ceiling fan from 1941 which was installed at the centre.

He said Sungai Way was mainly populated by Hakka and Hokkien folks.

“Most people here converse in Cantonese and Hakka.

“In the 1970s and 1980s, many of the houses were rented to foreigners who worked in the factories.

“Despite being a Chinese new village, Sungai Way was also once known as a foreigner’s village. When the free trade zone in Sungai Way ended around 2016 or 2017, the foreigners left,” he recounted.

He said Sungai Way was also known for unique dishes, such as mushroom curry at the MBPJ food court above the Sungai Way market.

“We hope this centre will be able to grow and attract more young people to visit.

“It was built with the help of volunteers. We hope it will be a sustainable place for future generations,” added Ding.

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, while on Saturday and Sunday it closes at 1pm.

Admission is free but those intending to visit as a group, it is advisable to make reservations.

For details, call 012-391 0538.

School goes green

SK Sri Kelana, which has actively been carrying out recycling for 19 years, received RM15,200 from the PJ SEED Fund in 2019.

The recycling project is under its Smart Ranger programme.

With the PJ SEED money, the school managed to venture into many other recycling initiatives to reduce plastic usage.

Water dispensers were installed and students were given a water bottle each to discourage them from buying bottled water.

Students were given reusable bags to reduce the dependency on plastic bags.

The school also embarked on a reward system for those who recycle.

Smart Ranger coordinator teacher Ong Kien Eik said a reading corner using recycled materials was set up.

“The space is popular among pupils,” he said.

SK Sri Kelana once again received the PJ SEED fund in 2022 and embarked on a recycling gallery project.

It also created a “mega book” using recycled materials and plywood to highlight different states in Malaysia.

The school is geared towards zero waste and teaches pupils to compost food waste.

There are plans to build a training centre within the compound to upcycle waste, hence it is aiming to secure an MBPJ grant this year too.

“We are always innovating and creating things using recyclables such as podiums, murals and other crafts.

“The mural with bottle caps at MBPJ’s PJ Eco Recycling Plaza in Sungai Way was created by SK Sri Kelana,” said Ong.