07/06/2025

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SATURDAY | JUNE 7, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Nibong Tebal historical timeline launched

BATU GAJAH: An 80m mural depicting the daily life of inmates (prospects) at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre has become a new attraction here. The painting along Jalan Hospital tells of the journey and daily activities of the prospects such as farming, woodwork, Quran recital and several other activities during their stay at the facility. Batu Gajah district council president Mohamad Razif Ramli said the mural was a council initiative to beautify the town and has NIBONG TEBAL: A cultural mapping initiative that started in 2024 culminated yesterday in the launch of a cultural assets map, a historical timeline of Nibong Tebal and a collection of oral histories in various forms. The map, published in the form of illustrated booklets and infographic posters, will be distributed to schools, surau , temples and community centres in the district. Arts and education organisation Arts-Ed project manager Chen Yoke Pin said the initiative provides visibility to less-known cultural assets in Nibong Tebal. “Our aim is to increase inclusivity and build bridges among local communities through a common appreciation of shared heritage.” The initiative, known as Projek Warisan Budaya Nibong Tebal, was a participatory cultural mapping effort that documented the unique identity of the district through the voice of its people. Since November 2024, the project has engaged residents from four sectors – the fishing community of Sungai Udang, residents and school communities in the old town, estate workers from Byram Estate and padi farmers and inshore fishermen in Sungai Acheh. o Project archives community accounts on cultural heritage, traditions and folk tales of district Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Syed Alwi said he and nine lecturers, four alumni experts and 12 students started painting on Feb 15 and completed it in seven days. “To create this mural, we used waterproof and weather-resistant paints to ensure it lasts. “All these are not just artist depictions. We actually went into the centre so that we could illustrate what the prospects did.” He expressed hope the mural would educate the public on what happens inside the centre while also beautifying old buildings in Batu Gajah. – Bernama During the launch, guests also enjoyed community-prepared dishes such as sakkarai pongal (sweet rice pudding), som tam (Thai green papaya salad) and kuih kalakatar (Banjarese coconut custard). The project was funded through the Seberang Perai Small Town Grants administered by Think City with support from the Finance Ministry, Penang government and the Seberang Perai City Council. Access to the cultural assets map is available at www.arts-ed.my/nibong-tebal. about the meaning people attach to places, which are “increasingly eroded by development and modernisation”. “By mapping tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including the old town area, nearby estates and the villages in Sungai Acheh and Sungai Udang, this project helps us reconnect with our cultural roots and local history,” he said. He said urban planning should not be limited to physical development or the delineation of residential zones, adding that it must also take into account the preservation of spirit, identity and the narrative of a place that shapes the uniqueness of each community. “Small towns such as Nibong Tebal are treasures rich in cultural values, collective memory and local wisdom. All of these deserve to be elevated as the foundation for future development that is more rooted and resilient.” H’ng, who was born and raised in Nibong Tebal, said when residents are given the space and trust to map their life stories, heritage and cultural assets, the outcome is more than just information or data. “It becomes a process of empowerment that strengthens the sense of ownership, identity and connection to their place of origin.”

Chen (standing, fourth from left) with residents and members of the project team. – T.C. KHOR/THESUN

been gazetted as a product development plan within the administrative area. “The painting was created by a group of lecturers, students and mural expert alumni from the Fine Arts Programme of Kolej Pengajian Seni Kreatif (KPSK) at the Perak branch of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Seri Iskandar. “For the first time, we have a collaboration with a government agency, namely the Prisons Department. As for UiTM Seri Iskandar, this is the third collaboration,” he said at the recent launch of the mural, officiated by Kinta district officer Through and workshops, a six-member team worked closely with locals to identify and document both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, from family-run traditional food businesses and community traditions to forgotten landmarks and folk tales. “It was a very special (opportunity) for local community members to share their own stories of growing up and living here. The inputs are not just data, but a testament to a participatory process that has strengthened their sense of ownership and identity related to Nibong fieldwork, interviews

Zulhisham Ahmad Shukori. Also present were Perak Prisons director deputy commissioner C. Charin Promwichit, Batu Gajah Correctional Centre director assistant prisons commissioner S. Tanabal and deputy project head and senior lecturer of the Fine Arts Programme at KPSK UiTM Perak branch Dr Syed Alwi Syed Abu Bakar. Mohamad Razif said the district council took the initiative to beautify the walls with murals featuring several elements at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre. Tebal,” Chen said. The launch was officiated by state executive councillor for Local Government, Town and Country Planning Jason M.L. H’ng, who is also Jawi state assemblyman. Also present were Seberang Perai City Council department of sustainable development director Normaira Abdul Rahman and representatives from urban transformation and community reinvigoration organisation Think City. H’ng highlighted that heritage is not only about old buildings or tourist attractions but

Mural on prison life hits right note

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