19/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 19, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

Community action in Malacca for climate resilience

Learning crochet making to generate income

Ű P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

IPOH: To help underprivileged residents acquire a new skill and supplement their household incomes, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) recently organised a basic course on crochet-making by hand at its headquarters here. The 20 participants, all from the B40 low income segment, included single mothers, housewives and people with disabilities. The day-long course on July 12 was hosted by the council’s Community Development Department. It was led by Fauziah Suhaimi, a handicraft enthusiast with 30 years of experience who has participated in exhibitions and sales events at various locations. Among the events and organisations she has been involved with are Lorong Seni@Lorong Panglima, government agencies, private sector groups and schools. The crochet-making programme was one of the initiatives by the MBI to empower the community by enabling them to generate income based on skills. During the event the department also organised other skills courses, including hair cutting, makeup and maintenance of home air conditioners. These courses will provide an opportunity for participants to start small-scale businesses from homes to supplement their household incomes. The council will continue to hold inclusive and sustainable community development programmes in the future.

o Two traditional neighbourhood societies participate in effort

Ű BY SIVAA TANGAI RAJU newsdesk@thesundaily.com

MALACCA: In a bid to strengthen grassroots climate resilience and fortify people against climate-related calamities, Malacca has launched the Community Action Plans (CAPs) with involvement of two traditional neighbourhoods. The Melaka Historic City Council joined hands with Resilient Cities Network to develop the Resilience for Communities (R4C) programme. It is held under Z Zurich Foundation’s global Urban Climate Resilience Programme (UCRP). According to State Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communication Deputy Exco Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem, each plan defines a tailored set of priority measures focused on tackling critical climate concerns, including urban heat, flooding and the need for safer shared public places. The partnership of the Kampung Morten and Pantai Peringgit communities was the result of a long-standing collaboration between residents, city departments, state agencies, researchers and strategic partners. “May this inclusive approach in Malacca become the best example in the implementation of local government housing policies and state climate management that is more sustainable and resilient,” he said at the launch on July 11. He added that the strategy has been evaluated using various methods. By engaging residents through surveys, interviews, focus groups and design sprints, the CAPs identify real, lived challenges, transforming them to community-led solutions. Z Zurich Foundation head Gregory Renand said Malacca serves as an example for other regions in terms of tackling climate threats. “Malacca is leading by example, giving SANDAKAN: Some of Sabah’s promising young leaders converged at a hotel ballroom here for a transformative experience during the Junior Chamber International’s 2025 JCI Malaysia Area Sabah Bootcamp from July 4 to 6. The intensive programme, hosted by JCI Sandakan, blended cutting-edge leadership training with real-world application, setting a new benchmark for youth development in East Malaysia. The event’s opening ceremony shone brightly with the presence of Liau Fui Fui, secretary to the Tanjong Papat assemblyman and Jetama Water Sdn Bhd chairman, who inspired attendees with her insights on public private sector leadership. The bootcamp gained further momentum with Dr Jeremy Tong, JCI Malaysia’s national executive vice-president and Sabah chairman, emphasising JCI’s important role in building Sabah’s next generation of leaders. Under the strategic direction of organising chairman Dr Kelvin Lo, participants immersed Ű BY JOSHUA CHANG newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The two neighbourhoods of Kampung Morten and Pantai Peringgit joined the launch of CAPs.

and shading, early warning systems, heritage heat adaptation and education initiatives. “Early efforts are already underway with heat-reflective paint applied to reduce indoor temperatures in Rumah Pangsa Pantai Peringgit, while in Kampung Morten a new pocket park is being co-designed with residents to create shade and offer a welcoming communal space,” she said. “This approach in Malacca demonstrates how inclusive, data-driven and people centred strategies can turn resilience goals into meaningful change on the ground. “With its deep heritage and forward thinking leadership, Malacca is setting a powerful example for cities across Malaysia, where climate resilience begins with the community,” Bruebach said.

themselves in activities that included hands-on leadership simulations crafted by head trainer and JCI senator Daniel Wong. They also underwent team dynamics masterclasses led by assistant trainer Donald Stephens, also a JCI senator. There was also a real-world problem-solving session facilitated by Bernice Chin, Vannessa Lim, and Michael Chang. JCI Sandakan vice-president Lau Zhun Bow ensured seamless execution, creating an environment where theoretical knowledge met practical application. The bootcamp’s true success lay in its dual impact - equipping participants with actionable leadership tools while forging unbreakable bonds among Sabah’s young professionals. As the sun set on the final day, attendees left not just with certificates, but also with a renewed commitment to drive meaningful change across their communities. JCI continues to be a premier global platform developing socially responsible leaders aged 18 to 40. For ongoing initiatives and future programmes, connect with JCI Sandakan on Facebook. communities a real say in how they prepare for climate risks and supporting them to take action. “The city is showing how strong local systems are built on trust, participation and good data that can turn climate plans into tangible and sustainable change for people,” he said. Katrin Bruebach, global director of Programmes and Operations at Resilient Cities Network, remarked that the community action plans not only guide hyperlocal interventions but also provide a framework for future city wide resilience planning rooted in community voices. The CAPs outline a range of future interventions including drainage studies, nature-based solutions, community greening

Fauziah (centre) presenting a certificate to one of the participants.

Bootcamp ignites leadership spark in young changemakers

Participants and officials in exuberant mood at the bootcamp in Sandakan.