28/06/2025

SATURDAY | JUNE 28, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

Strife-torn Myanmar exiles observe World Refugee Day

USM students interacting with residents of the centre during one of the activities. USM communication students uplift residents at homeless transit centre GEORGE TOWN: More than 70 second-year students from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Communication recently completed the second phase of their community outreach initiative, dubbed Comm@Love In Transit. It was held in collaboration with the Penang Homeless Transit Centre with the support of Service-Learning Malaysia-University for Society Universiti Sains Malaysia (Sulam-USM). With the tagline “Social Responsibility, Empowering Lives,” the CSR initiative was developed under the YBP230 Corporate Social Responsibility course, under the supervision of Prof Dr Jamilah Ahmad. It aimed to uplift residents of the centre through a series of interactive activities. About 70 residents participated in activities such as “explore race”, gotong-royong , oral health awareness talk and a community celebration. Each activity was designed to promote sustainability, improve mental and emotional well-being, as well as foster a sense of belonging and community. The activities were also aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside facilitators from Pusat Sejahtera USM, the sessions were also supported by sponsors, notably IJM Land Corporation, LY Education Technology, KAKI Creator Hub, RR Clinic and Good Foodie Media Sdn Bhd. The event was attended by Penang Executive Councillor Lim Siew Khim, who highlighted its transformative impact, stressing that it helped to strengthen community cohesion and promote inter-institutional collaboration. “The residents’ growing confidence and motivation to rejoin society is a noble achievement. This proves that unified efforts between institutions and communities drive meaningful change,“ she said.

KUALA LUMPUR: A two-day arts and culture bazaar called Stand With Myanmar was held recently at the Godown Arts Centre here in conjunction with World Refugee Day. Organised by the Coalition of Burma Ethnics Malaysia (Cobem) in collaboration with the centre and supporting NGOs, its highlights included traditional Myanmar food, costumes and crafts, as well as panel discussions and a “conversation corner” with refugee youths. “As refugees, we are only here for temporary protection. But while we are here, this is our home. We want to work with all of you to make Malaysia a better place,” said Cobem co-chair James La Seng in his address during the opening ceremony. Ethnic minorities in Myanmar have long faced discrimination and genocide from past military governments. Although the situation improved when a civilian government was elected in 2015, a military coup in February 2021 led to mass demonstrations, which were brutally suppressed by the junta. Conflict has since flared around the country between the military government and ethnic armed groups. James said the refugees in Malaysia hear first-hand accounts of bombings, arrests, massacres and torture from their friends and families still trapped in Myanmar. “It’s difficult for us to talk about these stories to Malaysians. But we have to, because we need to understand one another and why we are living together at this point in Malaysian history,” he said. In Malaysia, asylum seekers who arrive for protection are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Godown Arts Centre co-founder Emily Wee said: “That is why we were so excited to collaborate on this event, so that Malaysians o Bazaar allows locals to interact, learn about their culture and struggles KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Forestry Department Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), organised a day-long environmental education event on June 21 in conjunction with World Environment Day. With the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution and Love Our Nature“, the event aimed to boost environmental awareness and inspire sustainable practices among youths through hands-on nature-based activities. Also held as part of the National Training Week initiative, the event was a collaboration with the Human Resource Development Corporation, an agency under the Human Resources Ministry. A total of 67 participants, including 51 students aged nine to 22 and 16 adults, joined the event held in Sandakan. Reflecting the inclusive approach of the event to fostering knowledge-sharing and teamwork, the representatives comprised four groups – the Sepilok Junior Rangers, Al-Yakin Orphanage, St Mary’s Youth Hostel and Sekolah Rendah Islam Ar-Raudhah. Key activities held were bird watching and Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

An expressive dance performance by refugee youths was among the highlights during the opening of the bazaar. – PIC COURTESY OF NGU ZA HREIH

Titled “MY RooTopia”, the performance was based on their personal stories of displacement. Guests included Selayang MP William Leong, who chairs the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform, and UNHCR representative in Malaysia Louise Aubin.

and refugees could come together and share our respective cultures and stories. This is so important to creating a peaceful, trusting society.” The opening of the bazaar also featured a dance performance by 12 refugee students, who had trained for three months under the tutelage of Malaysian dancer and choreographer Lau Beh Chin.

Environmental education at rainforest centre in Sabah

Participants were given the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities to promote sustainability and environmental awareness.

event in empowering youths. “Through experiential learning, we nurture a sense of responsibility and long-term environmental stewardship in the next generation,“ he said. The main objectives of the event were to impart to participants practical sustainability insights and reinforce the importance of collective action in conservation.

peer collaboration. Additionally, selected Sepilok Junior Rangers reps underwent a train-the-trainer session, equipping them with leadership skills to mentor younger peers, a step towards developing future environmental ambassadors for community sustainability. Sabah Forestry chief conservator Datuk Frederick Kugan emphasised the role of the

recycled plastic craft-making, which promoted biodiversity appreciation and creative plastic waste reuse. The “Junior Entomologist” focused on insect conservation while eco-brick making activities highlighted sustainable waste management. The activities deepened the understanding of participants on environmental challenges while encouraging critical thinking and