27/05/2025

TUESDAY | MAY 27, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Student charity concert to support cancer patients

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

BANGI: “Music with a mission” is the motto of Malam Irama Penyayang XIV (MIP XIV), where 148 students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia are striking a chord for a cause. Now in its 14th edition and making a long-awaited return after a pandemic-induced hiatus, MIP XIV is more than just a student concert; it is a powerful act of compassion. Organised by the Sekretariat Kebudayaan Mahasiswa India, this annual charity event will donate 100% of its proceeds to the oncology unit at the Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital UKM, providing crucial support for cancer patients in need. The concert is set to take place this Saturday at Dewan Canselor Tun Abdul Razak located at the university in Bangi. Adding star power to this meaningful cause, renowned Indian playback singer Naresh Iyer will make a special guest appearance, lighting up the stage and lending his voice in support of the initiative. Student organisation president Shurendar Kannathasan, 23, said audiences can look forward to a mix of performances, including singing and dancing by university students and renowned artistes. “The event promises an exciting blend of formal and informal entertainment that celebrates talent and compassion.” Each year, MIP adopts a medical cause based on urgency and potential impact. This year’s focus on cancer treatment reflects a shared goal to ease the burden of care for patients and their families. “We want to help ease the treatment journey for cancer patients,” said Shurendar. “It is a small way that we, as students, can contribute to the lives of those battling serious illness.” In 2023, five children received heart surgeries at the National Heart Institute, funded by the RM50,000 raised by the student organisation. Since its inception 14 years ago, the concert has evolved into a cornerstone of student-led charity at the university. Organising an event of this scale is no small feat. This year’s edition is powered by 15 departments and led by three deputy programme directors, all working under a central leadership team.

o Annual event will donate 100% of proceeds to oncology

unit at Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital

arts and culture will also one day gain recognition from the organisation.” He was speaking at the closing and prize presentation ceremony for the state-level Dondang Sayang Competition, held in conjunction with the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat programme for the Sungai Udang state constituency. Sungai Udang constituency coordinator Datuk Rais Yasin also attended the event. Ab Rauf said the state government has set up a dondang sayang training centre and gallery in Kampung Hang Tuah, Duyong to showcase this cultural heritage, which also serves as an educational hub for younger generations to learn about history and arts. He said this initiative aligns with the recognition of dondang sayang as part of Unesco’s Representative List “These students are not just volunteers; they are leaders in training,” said Shurendar. “MIP teaches them how to manage large-scale events, coordinate teams, solve problems and connect with real-world causes.” MIP XIV is open to students from all faculties, promoting diversity and personal growth. Participants are chosen based on interest and commitment, and their contributions are formally recognised through merit marks. “It is a platform that brings students from different academic backgrounds together, giving them a meaningful way to serve the community.” After a two-year pause due to Covid-19, this year’s comeback carries more than just excitement; it represents renewed determination and purpose. “We are thrilled to return stronger than ever for the 14th edition,” said Shurendar. Funding for MIP XIV comes from a wide network of supporters, including alumni, private companies, NGOs and the public, through direct donations and in-kind contributions coordinated via the student organisation’s social media. “We are grateful to everyone who supports our cause. Every ringgit and effort helps make a real difference,” said Shurendar. Looking beyond this year’s concert, the student organisation envisions a larger movement

Shurendar said audiences can look forward to a mix of performances, including singing and dancing by university students and renowned artists. – PIC COURTESY OF SEKRETARIAT KEBUDAYAAN MAHASISWA INDIA

MIP XIV will shine not only as a night of performance, but also as a reminder of how young Malaysians are turning empathy into action, one note at a time.

pressing health issues. “With more hospital collaborations, we could expand our impact and reach more communities.”

taking root. “Our long-term goal is to establish MIP as a nationwide charity movement, not just raising funds but also awareness on

State to set up arts and culture unit MALACCA: The state government will set up an arts and culture unit as part of efforts to strengthen initiatives to preserve Malacca’s arts, heritage and culture, particularly the dondang sayang, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Crackdown on illegal dumping ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor will implement stricter measures to address the growing problem of illegal waste dumping.

of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018. He added that in support of efforts to elevate the dondang sayang industry, the state government has developed the Gerbang Pantun Melaka portal to collect and share traditional pantun , poetic verses that are the heritage and creative work of the people of Malacca. “Over 2,000 pantun have been collected. The state government has also been organising dondang sayang workshops since January to provide opportunities for school and university students and the community to learn and appreciate this art form. “We will continue to host dondang sayang workshops in all state constituencies as part of the programme.” – Bernama

session of the state legislative assembly sitting at Kota Iskandar. He added that the state government has formed a special committee to address illegal waste dumping, focusing on strengthening enforcement and reviewing outdated by-laws, expanding civic education and public awareness campaigns more aggressively and introducing a smart monitoring system based on artificial intelligence at hotspot areas to speed up the detection and prosecution of offenders. He said although Section 69 of the Local Government Act 1976 empowers local authorities to impose fines of up to RM2,000 or one year’s jail and an additional fine of RM500 per day for repeat offences, the law needs to be further scrutinised. – Bernama

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stressed the need for more radical and comprehensive measures to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the state’s environment. He said the recent decree by Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail, highlighting concerns about pollution in rivers and roads caused by irresponsible individuals, signals that it is time for more decisive action. “The necessary steps include raising the minimum compound rate as a clear signal to all parties and amending or introducing new, more relevant and stringent laws,” he said during the winding-up

He said the unit would be introduced at the July soft launch for World Tourism Day and the World Tourism Conference. He also said the unit gathers culture and arts practitioners from Institut Warisan Melaka and the Malacca Arts Brigade, and will be placed under the purview of the Chief Minister’s Department. “We should be proud as there are hundreds of countries and thousands of cities worldwide, yet Malacca was chosen as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. “We will prove that Malacca’s rich